Latest California Healthline Stories
San Bernardino Developmental Disability Center Workers Return to Work One Month After Mass Shooting
On Monday, employees at the Inland Regional Center returned to their offices about one month after an armed couple attacked a San Bernardino Department of Public Health holiday party, killing 14 and wounding 21 others. Many of the workers have continued to work and visit their clients’ homes over the past month, but few had visited the offices where the shooting took place. The center serves children with autism and adults with mental illnesses. Los Angeles Times, AP/Los Angeles Times.
CMS: Federal Exchange Enrollment Reached 8.5M as of Dec. 26, 2015
CMS says that about 8.5 million U.S. residents had signed up for health plans through the federal health insurance exchange as of Dec. 26, 2015. CMS says 29% of enrollees during the third open enrollment period have been new, while 71% have renewed coverage. The Hill, CMS fact sheet.
California Lawmakers To Address $1B Medi-Cal Budget Hole in 2016
A $1.1 billion hole in the budget for California’s Medicaid program is likely to be one of the biggest issues state lawmakers will face this year. Lawmakers — who adjourned for 2015 without reaching a deal to replace the state’s expiring managed care organization tax — say a new proposal is a priority this year. AP/Sacramento Bee.
Norovirus Outbreaks Reported Across California
At least 32 norovirus outbreaks have been reported in California from Oct. 1, 2015, to Dec. 23, 2015, according to a release by the California Department of Public Health. The outbreaks likely have resulted “in hundreds of reported sicknesses in the state,” DPH said. According to DPH, the number of outbreaks “far exceed[s]” the amount reported at this time a year earlier. Marin Independent Journal/San Jose Mercury News et al.
Analysis Finds Inconsistent Enforcement of Calif. Privacy Law
A ProPublica analysis finds that the California Department of Public Health has inconsistently enforced a 2008 state law that compelled hospitals to quickly report patient privacy breaches and gave the agency the authority to impose penalties for such violations. For example, the hospitals with the most violations did not have the highest number of fines. ProPublica.
Stanford University Researchers Set To Begin Human Gene Editing Trials in 2018
Stanford University researchers plan to test new gene therapy technology, called CRISPR-Cas9, in human trials in 2018 at the university’s first-ever cell manufacturing plant slated for completion in the spring. The research — which experts say could be used to cure genetic diseases, such as sickle cell anemia and muscular dystrophy — is currently being tested in cell-based and animal clinical trials. San Jose Mercury News.
Santa Clara County Officials Vow To Fund Children’s Psychiatric Facility by June
Santa Clara County’s Board of Supervisors says it plans by June to fund a new psychiatric facility for children in an effort to improve access to care. Currently, children with mental health illnesses are treated at hospital emergency departments, and patients who require inpatient care must locate available facilities and travel far distances to receive care. San Jose Mercury News.
CalPERS Data Show Decline in Retirement Rates
Proposed wage increases and better retirement benefits appear to have slowed retirement rates among California state employees, as fewer individuals drew their first pension checks in October 2015. CalPERS data show that 715 state employees collected their first pension payments in October 2015, down 10% from the same time in 2014. Sacramento Bee‘s “The State Worker.”
California Health Care Personnel Roundup for December 2015
California Assembly member Henry Perea says he will leave the state Assembly before the end of his term to be a state policy adviser for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. Meanwhile, Frederick Meyers, former vice dean at the UC-Davis School of Medicine, has been selected to lead the school’s new precision health initiative.
One in Three Californians Now Covered by Medi-Cal
One-third of Californians now have health coverage through Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program. Total enrollment in Medi-Cal has reached 12.7 million residents. State Sen. Ed Hernandez, chair of the state Senate Health Committee, said, “When the final numbers started coming out, where a third of the population was on Medi-Cal, it went way past anyone’s expectations.” Los Angeles Times.