Latest California Healthline Stories
Panel Nixes Move To Shift Funds From Kids’ Health, Education
California’s Senate Health Committee rejected a proposal to ask voters to let the state tap into proceeds of a tobacco tax to fund early childhood health care and education programs. The author of the bill says that county commissions that help administer First 5 California have billions of dollars in unspent funds that could help the state bridge its $14.5 billion deficit. Sacramento Bee.
Economic Stimulus Plan Would Increase Medicaid Dollars for States
Democrats want to boost federal Medicaid matching funds for states as part of an economic stimulus package, but the White House says the plan would lead to more federal control over health care. House leaders will discuss the package with President Bush on Tuesday. CongressDaily et al.
California Doctors Lead Nation in EHR Adoption, Study Finds
New research from the California HealthCare Foundation attributes California physicians’ greater use of electronic health records to the number of doctors in large group practices. The study found that just 13% of solo practitioners use EHRs. San Francisco Chronicle, CHCF press release.
Infection Prevention Method Combines Proven Treatments
An Institute for Healthcare Improvement campaign aims to reduce infections by using “bundled” checklists of every process that should take place before certain hospital procedures. The bundles rely on proven infection-prevention measures, such as hand hygiene, and encourage physicians, nurses and pharmacists to work together. USA Today.
Hospital Costs for Insured Vary Widely Statewide, Study Finds
Research commissioned by CalPERS and the Pacific Business Group on Health found that California hospitals in 2005 charged $18 billion for treatments that cost the hospitals $13 billion to provide. The study’s proponents say the findings demonstrate how insured Californians are subsidizing the hospital costs of Medi-Cal beneficiaries and the uninsured. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Stem Cell Agency To Dole Out Grants for Research on New Stem Cell Lines
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine is reviewing applications for grants to fund research on new stem cell lines. Meanwhile, the agency’s new president discusses his plans for CIRM. Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal, KQED’s “The California Report.”
Venture Capitalist Awards Grants to Cancer Projects
The retired co-founder of a venture capital fund has donated three $450,000 grants to cancer research projects that will not receive funding from the National Institutes of Health or other mainstream funding sources because of their risky nature. San Francisco Chronicle.
Strain of Drug-Resistant Staph Emerging in San Francisco, Study Finds
In a study published on Monday, researchers at UC-San Francisco reported a new strain of drug-resistant staph that is being found predominantly in men who have sex with men. High numbers of cases among MSM also have been reported in Boston. New York Times et al.
Pelosi Assesses Long-Term Care Issues at Forum
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said many U.S. residents, including those with health insurance, do not receive sufficient preventive care to ward off chronic diseases. Pelosi was joined at the long-term care forum by Bush administration officials, Democratic leaders and medical experts. CongressDaily.
Democrats Say Bush Overstepped Authority on Medicaid Eligibility
A letter by Democratic lawmakers says a CMS directive imposing restrictions on states’ ability to expand Medicaid violates federal law. The policy mirrors an earlier order governing enrollment in the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. CQ HealthBeat, CongressDaily.