Latest California Healthline Stories
U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths Reach Record High, CDC Says
CDC data released last week shows that drug overdose deaths in the U.S. increased by about 14% from 2013 to 2014, reaching a record number last year. According to CDC, opioid painkiller-related deaths increased by 9% and heroin-related deaths increased by 26% during that time period. AP/Modern Healthcare, HealthDay/U.S. News & World Report.
CMS Unveils New Medicare Rx Drug Spending Dashboard
The Obama administration has launched an online dashboard that aims to improve transparency of prescription drug pricing. The online dashboard shows that Medicare spending on prescription drugs grew by 16.9% in 2014, up from 9.5% growth in 2013. The Hill et al.
New FDA Final Rule Eases Blood Donation Ban for Gay, Bisexual Men
FDA has issued a final rule that allows men who have sex with men to donate blood if they have abstained from sex with a man for at least one year. Previous FDA regulations stipulated that MSM were “deferred as blood donors” because of their increased risk of HIV, hepatitis B and other infections. The Hill et al.
Medi-Cal To Revamp Substance Use Treatment Under Federal Waiver
Beginning in 2016, California will start revamping substance use treatment services under the state’s Medicaid program. California is the first state to receive a federal waiver to restructure drug and alcohol misuse treatment for Medicaid beneficiaries. Kaiser Health New/Sacramento Bee.
SEIU-UHW Launches $3M Fund for Hospital Accountability Efforts
After reviving a ballot measure that would cap hospital executives’ pay, Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers has launched a $3 million fund that could be used to support the effort. The union says it created the political fund to prepare for “all potential situations.” Sacramento Business Journal.
Sacramento First Responders Unveil Mobile App To Improve Cardiac Event Response Times
Last week, fire agencies in Sacramento unveiled a new mobile application that uses passers-by to increase response time to cardiac emergencies. The PulsePoint app sends a mobile alert to residents when someone near them needs cardiopulmonary resuscitation, allowing those trained in CPR to begin the care until medical personnel arrive. Sacramento Bee.
Congress OKs Funding for New French Camp-Based Health Clinic To Serve Local Veterans
On Monday, Rep. Jerry McNerney announced that Congress has appropriated funds to build a new 158,000-square-foot Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in French Camp. The clinic will provide a range of health services — including mental health, physical and occupational therapy, primary care, radiology, audiology and speech pathology — to thousands of veterans in Amador, Calaveras, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tuolumne counties. Construction is set to begin January 2017. Stockton Record, Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
California Hospitals Have 5% Elderly Mortality Rate for Hip Surgeries
New data from the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development show that nearly 5.4% of elderly patients who underwent surgery for hip fractures at California hospitals died within 30 days admission. However, mortality rates varied widely by facility. Payers & Providers.
Senator To Stop Blocking Nominees for Health Positions
Last week, Sen. Ben Sasse said he no longer plans to block President Obama’s nominees for various health-related positions. On Thursday, Sasse said that HHS had given him “access to new documents, financial reports and additional information.” He noted, “Given HHS’ recent production of documents and their ensuing commitment to cooperate, I am lifting my hold on pending nominees.” The Hill‘s “Floor Action.”
Study: Smoking Bans More Effective Than Tobacco Taxes
Smoking bans are more effective than high cigarette taxes at reducing smoking among casual users, but both help to reduce smoking rates among all users, according to a study published last week in the American Journal of Public Health. The study found that smoking bans were most effective at limiting smoking among casual users who smoked less than one pack daily, while high taxes on cigarettes were most effective at curbing smoking among users who smoked more than one pack daily. However, the study noted that combining smoking bans with high cigarette taxes was no more effective at reducing smoking rates than either of the methods were on their own. HealthDay/U.S. News & World Report.