Latest California Healthline Stories
California Ranks 41st in State Obesity Rates, Report Says
California’s obesity rate increased by 0.4% and the state now has the 41st highest obesity rate in the country, according to a new report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Trust for America’s Health. Obesity rates did not decline in any state and they increased in 37 states, according to the report. San Francisco Business Times.
Two Genetic Testing Firms Get Licenses From State
On Tuesday, the California Department of Public Health announced that the genetic testing companies 23andMe and Navigenics have received licenses from the state that will allow them to continue to offer their services to California consumers. In June, state regulators directed 13 genetic testing firms to end direct-to-consumer marketing of their services or obtain licenses from the state to operate as laboratories. New York Times.
States Push Bills To Mandate Paid Sick Days for Employees
Lawmakers in 12 states, including California, Connecticut and Minnesota, have introduced legislation in the past year that would require businesses to offer paid sick leave to their employees. The California measure recently failed. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Medicare Releases Death Rates, Other Quality Data for Hospitals
CMS has expanded the information on its Hospital Compare Web site to include mortality data for heart attacks, heart failure and pneumonia, and information on children’s health care. It is the first time death rates or children’s health have been added to the site. USA Today, Miami Herald.
Federal Judge Orders Temporary Halt to Medi-Cal Payment Cuts
A federal judge ruled that California’s reduction of Medi-Cal payments to health care providers violated federal law and blocked the cuts temporarily. If the cuts are rejected, state officials say higher Medi-Cal reimbursement rates will add more than $500 million to California’s budget deficit. Gov. Schwarzenegger’s office is weighing its options. Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Chronicle.
Surgeons Cite Economy for Decline in Elective Procedures
Cosmetic surgeons say they are seeing a decline in elective surgical procedures, in part because of the economy. However, less-expensive, non-surgical procedures, such as microdermabrasion and Botox, are gaining in popularity. Sacramento Bee.
Eye Care Professions Reach Deal on Scope of Practice
Sen. Lou Correa said groups representing optometrists and ophthalmologists have reached a deal on a scope of practice bill. Correa’s bill would allow optometrists to perform several procedures that they previously were barred from performing, while other procedures, including anything involving cutting into the eye, would be reserved for ophthalmologists. Capitol Weekly.
More Than 90 California Hospitals Face Fines Over Tainted Heparin
In February, Baxter Healthcare recalled heparin after concerns were raised about the blood thinning treatment being contaminated. A survey of California hospitals found that 94 facilities’ pharmacies still had heparin on the shelves. Los Angeles Daily Journal.
Study: Many Visits to California EDs Could Be Handled Elsewhere
The Public Policy Institute of California found that Medi-Cal beneficiaries are more likely than the uninsured or undocumented immigrants to seek care in hospital emergency departments when other care settings would be more appropriate. Los Angeles Daily News, Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Obama, McCain Differ on Veterans’ Health Care
At the annual convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, presumptive presidential nominees Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain detailed their differences on foreign policy and addressed health care and other benefits for veterans. NPR’s “Morning Edition.”