Latest California Healthline Stories
Stanford Study: Men With Infertility Face Higher Risk for Diabetes, Heart Disease
Men who are infertile have a 48% higher risk of developing heart disease and about a 30% higher risk of developing diabetes, according to a study by Stanford University researchers published in Fertility and Sterility. Lead researcher Michael Eisenberg, director of Stanford University Medical School’s male reproductive medicine and surgery division, said, “What’s interesting is that these are young, healthy men,” adding, “Prior studies suggested a higher risk of [testicular] cancer or even death. But for the first time, we are seeing higher risk of these metabolic diseases.” Medscape, HealthDay/U.S. News & World Report.
Number of State Retirees Fell by 7% Since Last Year, Data Show
New data from CalPERS show that 5,610 state employees retired between January and September — down 7% from the same period in 2014. However, the number of retirees is about 8% higher than in 2013. Sacramento Bee‘s “The State Worker,” CalPERS data.
CBO Predicts ACA Could Reduce Workforce by 2M Jobs Over 10 Years
A new Congressional Budget Office report predicts the Affordable Care Act could reduce the U.S. workforce by two million jobs over the next decade. The report says that various Affordable Care Act provisions could encourage some U.S. residents “to work fewer hours, … leave the labor force entirely or remain unemployed for longer than they otherwise would.” The Hill.
CDC: Number of New HIV Diagnoses Fell by 19% Over Past Decade
A new CDC report finds the number of annual HIV diagnoses in the U.S. declined by 19% between 2005 and 2014. Despite the overall decline, the report finds HIV diagnoses among men who have sex with men increased by 6% in 2014. Washington Post‘s “To Your Health,” Reuters.
California Telehealth Law Increased Access to Medical Marijuana
A California law passed in 2011 has helped clear the way for residents to obtain medical marijuana prescriptions via telehealth. Among other things, the law broadened the range of services and sites for telehealth, and several companies have developed platforms to help patients seek prescriptions via remote, online consultations. mHealth Intelligence et al.
Opinion: California Faces the Biggest Loss if Congress Repeals the Affordable Care Act
“Californians have the most to lose if Republicans” succeed in repealing all or parts of the Affordable Care Act, Daniel Weintraub, editor of the California Health Report writes in a Sacramento Bee opinion piece. He notes, “The federal subsidies for people who are buying their insurance through Covered California are projected to total more than $4 billion this year,” and the federal government is expected to pay about $9 billion of the total $10 billion cost of the Medi-Cal expansion in 2020. He added, “That means it would cost California somewhere around $13 billion a year to maintain the status quo, and probably more, since health care costs will continue to climb.” Sacramento Bee.
On Monday, San Bernardino County government offices reopened for the first time since an armed couple attacked a San Bernardino Department of Public Health holiday party Wednesday morning, killing 14 and wounding 21 others. However, employees of the Division of Environment Health Services are scheduled to remain out of work for at least another week as the county works to address their mental health needs. Los Angeles Times.
Calif., Other States Scrutinize Regulatory Boards After Ruling
A Supreme Court decision earlier this year is prompting California and other states to more closely scrutinize regulatory commissions, including those in health care. The court ruled that the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners violated antitrust laws by blocking competitors from offering certain services. AP/Washington Times, California Office of the Attorney General statement.
Telehealth Services in Emergency Departments Could Boost Savings at Rural Hospitals, Study Finds
Emergency department telehealth services could increase revenue and savings at rural hospitals and reduce total emergency care costs, according to a study published in the journal Telemedicine and e-Health. The authors determined that ED telehealth programs “may be a profitable rural hospital service … if the participating hospital adjusts ED processes to take advantage of increased revenue/savings opportunities.” FierceHealthIT.
Anthem, Cigna Shareholders Vote To Approve Merger
Anthem and Cigna shareholders on Thursday voted to approve a merger agreement between the companies. The companies noted that nearly all of their shareholders voted in favor of the merger. Federal regulators must approve the proposal, and antitrust experts say the Department of Justice and state attorneys general are likely to scrutinize them closely. DOJ will review the proposal over the next year or longer. AP/Sacramento Bee.