Latest California Healthline Stories
Facing Deficit, Contra Costa Supervisors Vow To Protect Health Services
Contra Costa County supervisors, facing a July 1 deadline to close a $50 million budget shortfall, on Tuesday pledged to protect health, public safety and social services programs from spending reductions, the Contra Costa Times reports.
Contra Costa County To Install Drug Robots in Jails
Contra Costa County is installing pharmaceutical robots in three county jails, which officials say could improve medication safety, the Contra Costa Times reports.
House Education and Workforce Committee Approves Bill on Association Health Plans
The House Education and Workforce Committee on Wednesday voted 25-22 to approve a bill (HR 525) that would allow small businesses to form association health plans across state lines, CQ HealthBeat reports.
Crawford Senate Confirmation Hearing To Focus on Tenure as Acting FDA Commissioner
Members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Thursday during a confirmation hearing for Lester Crawford, the nominee for FDA commissioner, likely will focus on his tenure as acting agency commissioner at a time when FDA “was plagued by drug safety problems,” CQ HealthBeat reports.
CDC Survey Finds Few Hospitals Use Electronic Medical Records
Less than one-third of hospital emergency and outpatient departments, and even a smaller proportion of physicians’ offices, are using electronic medical records, according to a recent survey conducted by CDC, CQ HealthBeat reports.
Many U.S. Counties Lack Community Health Centers, Report Finds
The number of U.S. counties that require community health centers exceeds available resources, and counties that have health centers have experienced increased demand for services, according to a report released this week by the National Association of Community Health Centers and George Washington University, CQ HealthBeat reports.
The Association of California Insurance Companies on Tuesday announced that it will not take a position in the debate over the confirmation of Division of Workers’ Compensation Director Andrea Hoch, an indication that “the appointment could be in trouble,” the AP/San Jose Mercury News reports.
Fresno, Kern, San Joaquin Counties Among 10 U.S. Counties With Highest Community Needs, Report Says
Fresno, Kern and San Joaquin counties are among 10 U.S. counties with populations higher than 500,000 that have the worst combination of indicators known to contribute to health disparities, according to a report released this week, the Stockton Record reports.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) on Tuesday “signaled a new willingness to compromise” on stalled medical malpractice legislation and said he would consider reforms beyond caps on noneconomic damages, CongressDaily reports.
JCAHO Issues Formal Notification to Alta Bates Summit Medical Center About Loss of Accreditation
The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations has formally notified Alta Bates Summit Medical Center that it could lose its accreditation, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.