Latest California Healthline Stories
House OKs Spending Bill With Funding for Veterans’ Health Care
The spending bill would require outreach and mental health services for recent war veterans. Its passage coincides with the Government Accountability Office's announcement of a study on whether U.S. troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan receive adequate mental health care. CQ Today et al.
Sacramento Hospital Program Targets Frequent ED Visits
Sutter General Hospital and a not-for-profit agency transport substance abuse or mentally ill patients, most of whom are homeless, from the hospital to temporary housing, where they also will receive primary care. The service costs one-tenth the price of inpatient care. Sacramento Business Journal.
Millions of Patients Not Taking Rx Drugs Properly, Report Finds
Poor medication adherence could increase U.S. health costs by more than $175 billion annually, the report found. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality plans a campaign to encourage patients to take medications as prescribed. AP/Peoria Journal Star, AP/Houston Chronicle.
Poll: Sacramento Area Backs Governor’s Health Overhaul
A poll by California State University-Sacramento found the majority of residents in the Sacramento region broadly are in favor of changes to the health care system at a state and national level. Sacramento Bee.
State Study Links Pesticides To Higher Rates of Autism
Women who lived within 500 meters of farm fields where certain pesticides are sprayed gave birth to children with autism at a rate six times higher than the national average. Researchers caution that the findings are preliminary and that there is no way to conclude a causal relationship. Los Angeles Times et al.
Giuliani To Pitch His Tax Incentive Health Care Plan
Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani’s plan would use tax credits of up to $15,000 to boost health insurance rates. Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards has criticized the proposal, saying it doesn't do enough to fix the U.S. health care system. Wall Street Journal et al.
Veto of Kids’ Insurance Bill Could Hurt California Reform
President Bush's plan for the State Children's Health Insurance Program is more modest than what Gov. Schwarzenegger and California lawmakers have proposed for Healthy Families, the state's version of SCHIP, setting up a potential conflict. Further, if Bush vetoes an SCHIP reauthoriziation bill, hundreds of thousands of California children could lose coverage. San Diego Union-Tribune et al.
Bill Would Let States Require Rx Discounts for Some Residents
A House proposal would let states require pharmaceutical companies to offer discounts to low- and moderate-income residents. Some Medicare beneficiaries and insured individuals with limited or no drug coverage also would be eligible for the discounts. Washington Post.
Judges Tapped To Consider Prison Population Cap
Gov. Schwarzenegger is appealing last week's ruling to consider capping the state prison population because of concerns about problems with the health care and mental health care systems. A three-judge panel has been named, but the governor is seeking to block it from moving forward. Sacramento Bee.
Health District Uses Federal Grant for Records Project
The electronic health record system is intended to expedite patient care and provide a way for physicians to track and evaluate health issues on a regional basis. Antelope Valley Press.