Latest California Healthline Stories
California Medical Board Ends Troubled Diversion Program
A state audit last month found that the program, through which physicians could seek help privately for drug and alcohol abuse problems, inconsistently monitored participants. Patient advocates have also raised concerns about risks to patient safety. San Jose Mercury News, Sacramento Bee.
Federal Inspectors Cite King-Harbor Hospital
An incident this week at King-Harbor Hospital prompted CMS regulators to cite the facility for placing patients in immediate jeopardy of harm. An ongoing federal inspection of patient care standards will determine whether the facility will retain federal funding or close its doors. Los Angeles Times.
Hospital News Roundup for July 27
Federal regulators plan final inspection of King-Harbor; union approves wages plan for St. John's Regional Medical Center
Reducing Inmate Populations Could Ease Health Problems
State officials are considering capping prisons populations and transferring more inmates out of state to help alleviate overcrowding in California’s corrections system. NPR's "News & Notes."
San Francisco Begins Work on New HIV/AIDS Strategy
Congress is mulling proposals that would overhaul federal funding formulas for HIV/AIDS services, a move that could cut grants to San Francisco and other Bay Area counties. A new San Francisco work group aims to complete a new plan by December. San Francisco Chronicle.
Group Touts Importance of Chronic Disease Care in Health Reform
One of the leaders of a new bipartisan group stumping for chronic disease care in states with early primaries sees the issue as a way to "jump-start" constructive discussion of health care reform. McClatchy/Kansas City Star, Washington Times.
Dodd Announces Universal Health Care Coverage Plan
Connecticut’s Democratic Sen. Christopher Dodd said it would take four years for his health care proposal to take full effect, providing the same level of coverage that federal employees receive to all Americans. AP/Los Angeles Times.
U.S. Senate Republicans Pitch Universal Health Care Proposal
The legislation focuses on the federal tax system to encourage people to buy health insurance coverage and includes provisions similar to ideas that President Bush offered in his 2007 State of the Union Address. McClatchy/St. Paul Pioneer Press, CNBC.