Latest California Healthline Stories
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of April 18, 2008
The Senate Health Committee approved two bills aimed at encouraging Tenet Healthcare to resolve a dispute with the real-estate investment trust that leases Encino-Taranza Regional Medical Center. Separately, Tenet agreed to sell USC’s University Hospital and Norris Cancer Center.
San Francisco Mayor Pledges Support for 911 Call Center
On Wednesday, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom pledged to send reinforcements to the city’s understaffed 911 call center and upgrade dispatch tools. He also said he would have experts evaluate the city’s emergency medical response system, including its history of delayed responses. San Francisco Chronicle.
Health Care News From the Campaign Trail for the Week of April 18
Sen. John McCain announces a health care plan that would increase copayments for the Medicare drug benefit for high-income beneficiaries, while Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said several health care efforts would be among the priorities of the first 100 days in her presidency.
Alameda County Report Traces Causes of Lower Life Expectancies
The county’s public health chief said the report showed how residents’ health is affected by inequities in transportation, housing, education and other factors. People of color and low-income residents are most affected by the disparities. Oakland Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle.
Nurses Union Obtains Order To Restrain Competing Union
The California Nurses Association has obtained a court order barring members of the Service Employees International Union from stalking or harassing members of the nurses union. SEIU said it plans to file a motion today to dismiss the restraining order, calling it “an entirely frivolous injunction being used for political purposes.” New York Times.
Soldiers’ Mental Illnesses Could Cost U.S. Up to $6B
Nearly one in five, or about 300,000, soldiers who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan has post-traumatic stress disorder or major depression — illnesses that could cost as much as $6.2 billion over two years in care, lost productivity and lost lives, according to a RAND report released on Thursday. Washington Post et al.
Report Raises Questions About Governor’s Plan for Medi-Cal Eligibility
A new California Endowment report says that a plan by Gov. Schwarzenegger to require most Medi-Cal beneficiaries to complete eligibility forms four times per year will save less money than expected because most children dropped from the program will re-enroll. Sacramento Bee.
Report: Workplace Injuries, Illnesses Decreased in 2006
In 2006, there were 603,000 nonfatal work-related injuries and illnesses that resulted in missing work, job transfers or work restrictions, according to the California Division of Labor Statistics and Research. That is about 27,000 fewer cases than in 2005, even though there were 323,000 more employees in California in 2006. Sacramento Business Journal.