Latest California Healthline Stories
Santa Cruz City, County See Higher-Than-Expected Funds From Medical Marijuana Dispensary Taxes
Both the city and county of Santa Cruz collected more money in taxes on medical marijuana dispensaries last year than anticipated, with the city collecting $305,000 in taxes in 2015, and the county collecting $1.95 million between November 2014 and October 2015. In 2014, voters approved measures to levy a 7% tax on medical marijuana retailers’ sales. A large share of the money will help the county enforce medical marijuana regulations, while some will go to general funds for the city and county. Santa Cruz Sentinel.
California Nurses Association Looks To End Affiliation With National Union of Healthcare Workers
The California Nurses Association, which represents 86,000 registered nurses in the state, is seeking to end its affiliation with the National Union of Healthcare Workers, which represents 10,600 health care service workers and technicians. CNA has asked the courts to arbitrate its disputes with NUHW in an effort to end “a hopelessly dysfunctional relationship.” NUHW leader Sal Rosselli said the group “regret[s] the decision by a few CNA officials to attempt to end an affiliation that is so beneficial [to] members of both unions.” San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area BizTalk.”
Infections From Duodenoscopes Higher Than Previously Estimated
A U.S. Senate panel report finds that the number of potentially deadly infections linked to contaminated duodenoscopes in California and other states is greater than investigators previously estimated. The medical scopes last year were linked to superbug outbreaks at UCLA’s Ronald Reagan Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Seattle Times/Los Angeles Times.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of January 15, 2016
The cost of building a renovated Valley Medical Center could reach $126 million — more than double the initial cost projection. UC-San Diego Health System has partnered with Sharp HealthCare to develop a joint liver transplant program.
A new study published in Pediatrics finds that 40% of parents say they would purchase sugary drinks for their children if the beverages came with health warning labels, compared with 60% who said they would buy such beverages without the labels. The researchers concluded that health warning labels on sugary drinks can improve “parents’ understanding of health harms associated with overconsumption of such beverages and may reduce parents’ purchase of [such drinks] for their children.” STAT News‘ “Morning Rounds, Pediatrics.
Senate Committees Advance Nominees for FDA Commissioner, VA Inspector General
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Tuesday by voice vote approved Robert Califf’s nomination for FDA commissioner. The full Senate now must consider the nomination. Meanwhile, the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on Tuesday voted to approve Michael Missal’s nomination for VA’s inspector general. Wall Street Journal et al.
Blue Shield of Calif. Has Approved a Financial Pledge To Meet DMHC Requirements for Care 1st Merger
Blue Shield of California says it has made “substantial progress” toward fulfilling financial pledges that were conditions for the approval of the insurer’s merger with Care 1st Health Plan. As part of the approval, the state Department of Managed Health Care said Blue Shield must invest at least $14 million a year for 10 years in the Blue Shield Foundation. In a release on Wednesday, the insurer said its board of directors has approved a $35 million contribution to the Blue Shield of California Foundation. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area BizTalk.”
Obama’s Budget Will Seek To Encourage More Medicaid Expansions
President Obama’s fiscal year 2017 budget proposal, which is scheduled to be released Feb. 9, will call on Congress to extend the federal government’s 100% funding share of Medicaid expansion costs for the first three years of a state’s expansion. The proposal aims to encourage more states to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Modern Healthcare et al.
CMS Data Show Federal Exchange Sign-Ups Reach 8.7M
The latest CMS data show about 8.7 million U.S. residents have signed up for health plans through the federal exchange since the Affordable Care Act’s open enrollment period launched Nov. 1, 2015. Friday is the last day U.S. residents can sign up for federal exchange plans that will take effect Feb. 1. Washington Times et al.
DPH Offers Little Detail on Drop in Hospital Citations, Penalties
The number of citations and fines that the California Department of Public Health has issued against hospitals for medical errors has dropped significantly in recent years. For example, DPH cited 22 hospitals in 2015, compared with 58 in 2009. DPH has not provided much detail on what is behind the decline. Payers & Providers.