Latest California Healthline Stories
Undocumented Immigrants Account for $1B in Medi-Cal Spending
Federal and state laws require coverage for some services for undocumented immigrants, and costs have increased by about 50% over the past decade. Sacramento Bee.
Inadequate Staffing Raises Health Care Costs, Nurses Say
Sacramento County jail nurses and sheriffs’ officials called for additional nurses to be hired, noting that nurse staff vacancies increase health care costs within the county jail system. Sacramento Bee, KXJZ.
Latino Advocacy Group Takes Up Health Care
High rates of diabetes, obesity, HIV/AIDS and other diseases among Latinos have led the National Council of La Raza to increase its attention to health care at its national conference. Los Angeles Times.
Funds for Basic Science Research Should Be Doubled
President Bush asked the Senate to increase federal funds for basic scientific research as part of a plan to improve U.S. competitiveness. AP/Houston Chronicle, AP/Washington Post.
Group Urges More Cardiac Testing
Older men and women should receive tests for heart disease, regardless of whether they have symptoms, a new report recommends. Indianapolis Star.
CMS To Release Data on Defibrillators
CMS plans to post data on its Web site on the outcomes of patients who have received implantable cardiac defibrillators but not on the performance of specific physicians and hospitals. New York Times.
U.S. News Releases Hospital Rankings
Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore was ranked first for the 16th consecutive year, and three California facilities were included on the “Honor Roll.” Baltimore Sun et al.
Health Care Issues Among Disaster Preparedness Concerns
Los Angeles County officials are developing plans to distribute medications and address a lack of hospital beds in the event of a major earthquake or other disaster. Los Angeles Times.
Proof-of-Citizenship Law Still Inadequate, Advocates Say
Consumer and patient advocates said more changes are needed to Medicaid proof-of-citizenship rules to ensure that eligible beneficiaries do not lose coverage. CQ HealthBeat, APM.
New CalPERS Investment Fund Possible
CalPERS is considering options for a program to help city and county governments fund future retiree health care liabilities. Sacramento Bee.