Latest California Healthline Stories
Health Care Reform Talks Moving Along in California
Gov. Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders are negotiating over a series of bills that aim to rein in the cost of individual health insurance and tighten rules on health insurers. Elements of the bills were included in the governor’s health care reform proposal. KPCC’s “Air Talk.”
Program Aims To Curb Obesity in Central Valley
The Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program is pushing for increased access to fresh produce and exercise facilities in Merced, Fresno, Tulare, Kings and Kern counties, where nearly two-thirds of the residents are obese. Los Angeles Times.
Federal Panel Says To Stop Prostate Exams at Age 75
On Monday, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended that physicians no longer screen men over the age of 75 for prostate cancer, arguing that the potential harm from the test outweighs the potential benefit from treatment. However, some experts disagree with the recommendations. Los Angeles Times.
Market Volatility Takes Toll on Kaiser Numbers Despite Jump in Revenue
A leader for Kaiser Permanente’s health plan and hospitals said that “turbulence in the financial markets” weakened Kaiser’s financial results for the second quarter. Net income was down by almost 70% from the previous year. East Bay Business Times.
Kids’ Meals Include Too Many Calories, Study Finds
In a study of 13 of the country’s 25 largest restaurant chains, the Center for Science in the Public Interest found that 93% of the kids’ items offered exceed the suggested caloric intake. Subway received the best ranking with 12 children’s meal combinations that meet nutritional guidelines. Sacramento Bee.
Latest State Report Details Wider Medical Privacy Lapses at UCLA
An additional 59 UCLA Medical Center employees were found to have inappropriately accessed the records of celebrities and other prominent figures, almost double the number initially suspected. UCLA officials have disciplined workers, and Gov. Schwarzenegger has endorsed legislation that would impose fines on hospitals and employees for privacy breaches. Los Angeles Times.
Millions of Uninsured Go Without Care for Chronic Diseases, Study Finds
At least 11 million uninsured Americans have chronic diseases, and only 25% reported seeing a doctor in the past year, according to new research in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Researchers said the study challenges the contention that many uninsured people are young and healthy. New York Times.
Health Care Reform News Around the Nation for the Week of August 4
Kansas’ largest health insurer announced that it will stop reimbursing hospitals for treatment of preventable errors. Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Legislature approved a bill to increase funding for its health insurance coverage program.
Hospitals Report New, Undocumented Immigrants
Under federal law, hospitals receiving Medicare funds must transfer or refer patients to “appropriate” post-hospital care. However, in most states, the government does not provide funding for post-hospital care for undocumented immigrants, temporary immigrants and documented immigrants who have been in the U.S. for less than five years, forcing hospitals to “repatriate seriously injured or ill immigrants.” New York Times.
Abortion-Notification Measure Critics File Lawsuit
A lawsuit, co-sponsored by Planned Parenthood Affiliates, was filed Friday asking the secretary of state to remove the story of a 15-year-old girl and other material from the official voter guide for an abortion-notification ballot measure. Supporters of Proposition 4 acknowledged that the death of “Sarah” for which “Sarah’s Law” is named might not have been prevented because she had a child and was in a common-law marriage. Los Angeles Times.