Latest California Healthline Stories
U.S. Preventable Death Rate Highest of Developed Nations
While the rate of preventable deaths in the U.S. has decreased over the past five years, it is doing so at a slower rate than other industrialized countries, according to a new study. Among 19 industrialized countries, the U.S. has the highest rate of preventable deaths. Bloomberg News.
Medicare Considers Home Testing for Sleep Apnea
CMS has proposed covering sleep apnea treatments for Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed through home tests. The home tests cost about $500, compared with $1,500 for a sleep study performed in a laboratory. AP/Arizona Daily Star.
Financial Aid Widens for College Nursing Students
A fund established last year by the Foundation for California Community Colleges has grown by $3 million to help more nursing students graduate and alleviate the state’s nursing shortage. The fund gives one-time grants to students with financial problems who are in danger of dropping out. Sacramento Bee.
Latest California Stem Cell Agency Grants Aim for New Treatments
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine will provide 20 planning and a number of other grants to help existing discoveries reach the point of clinical trials. Ten biotechnology companies and 56 university and not-for-profit teams have applied. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Medicare To Clamp Down on Equipment Supplier Scams
In an effort to reduce fraudulent billing, HHS will require medical equipment suppliers to be accredited by approved agencies and set prices through a competitive bidding process to participate in Medicare. The accreditation process involves more frequent inspections and stricter background checks. Los Angeles Times.
State, Local Agencies Face $118 Billion in Retiree Health Costs
A report by a California commission urged state and local governments to begin setting aside funds to help cover the future costs of retiree health benefits, which are projected to increase faster than inflation. California and most local agencies in the state currently fund retiree health benefits on an annual basis and have no funds set aside. AP/San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Woes at Atlanta Hospital Mirror Nationwide Issues
Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta is facing an estimated $53 million fiscal year 2008 budget gap and could lose accreditation. The hospital’s financial problems are reflective of those of public hospitals nationwide that are struggling with massive costs from providing emergency and charity care. New York Times.
Higher Rx Spending Drives U.S. Health Care Costs Above $2 Trillion
Rising prescription drug use by patients in public health programs, including the Medicare drug benefit, propelled U.S. drug spending to $216.7 billion in 2006, a rise of 8.5%, according to a federal report. Total health care spending rose 6.7%. Washington Post et al.
California Study Finds No Link Between Autism, Vaccine Additive
Autism advocates have long suspected that the disease is caused by exposure to thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative that is added to many vaccines. But research finds that autism rates have not fallen since most vaccine makers removed thimerosal in 1999. Los Angeles Times et al.
Bill Aims To Cut Staph Infections Through Tracking
Sen. Elaine Alquist has proposed a bill that would require hospitals and nursing homes to provide the state with their staph infection rates. Opponents say the bill is unnecessary because facilities already work to control the spread of drug-resistant bacteria. KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.”