Latest California Healthline Stories
Los Angeles Doctor Is First U.S. Physician Convicted of Murder in Deaths Linked to Over-Prescribing
On Friday, a Los Angeles doctor — Hsiu-Ying “Lisa” Tseng — was convicted of second-degree murder after three of her patients overdosed on copious amounts of prescription medications she prescribed them. The case is the first time that a U.S. physician has been found guilty of murder over the inappropriate prescribing of drugs. AP/Miami Herald.
CMS Issues Final Rule for Medicare Coverage of End-of-Life Talks
The Obama administration has issued a final rule that will allow physicians to bill Medicare for discussions they have with patients about end-of-life care. CMS said the rule, which takes effect next year, is “consistent with recommendations from a wide range of stakeholders and bipartisan members of Congress.” The Hill et al.
Covered California Launches Ad Campaign To Bolster Enrollment
Today, Covered California launched a $29 million advertising campaign to encourage uninsured residents to sign up for coverage during the Affordable Care Act’s third open enrollment period, which started on Sunday. The campaign will feature ads on various platforms and will target specific demographics, such as Latino residents. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area BizTalk” et al.
California Health Care Personnel Roundup for October 2015
Gov. Brown has appointed Mack Jenkins to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Council on Mentally Ill Offenders and named Stephanie Welch executive officer of the council. Meanwhile, Mary Anne Ashley has been named chief of legislative affairs at CalPERS.
Riverside County Reaches Tentative Settlement To Resolve Inmate Health Care Lawsuit
On Friday, Riverside County announced that it has reached a tentative settlement in a case that challenged the quality of health care and mental health care for inmates at the county’s five jails. The proposed settlement, which must be approved by the county Board of Supervisors, would increase staffing, telemedicine and telepsychiatry at the jails to expand health care services. AP/Washington Times, Riverside Press Enterprise.
Calif. Officials Report 28 West Nile-Related Deaths in 2015
As of Friday, 517 people in 30 California counties had tested positive for West Nile virus this year and 28 people had died from the illness, according to California public health officials. Officials said that many of the deceased were senior citizens who have an increased risk of getting sick and developing complications. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now,” AP/Sacramento Bee.
Calif. Medical Board Rejects Probation Transparency Petition
The Medical Board of California has rejected a petition by Consumers Union that would have required physicians on probation to notify patients of their status. Instead, the board decided to form a task force to research disclosure requirements. Sacramento Business Journal et al.
27 Calif. Hospitals Reach Settlement With DOJ Under False Claims Act
Last week, the Department of Justice announced that it has settled with more than 450 hospitals over alleged overuse of implantable cardioverter defibrillators under the False Claims Act. Twenty-seven California hospitals — operated by Scripps Health, St. Joseph Health System and Sutter Health — were included in the settlement. Modern Healthcare et al.
Effects of El Niño Could Cause Increased West Nile Virus Activity Next Year, Officials Say
Los Angeles County health officials say that the El Niño effect this year could cause an increase in the number of West Nile virus cases next year. The additional rain and higher temperatures under the weather system could enable mosquitos — which carry the disease — to survive winter more easily and breed more aggressively. Torrance Daily Breeze.
5.5M Reproductive-Age Women Have Gained Health Coverage Under ACA, Report Finds
Although 5.5 million reproductive-age women have gained insurance under the Affordable Care Act in the past two years, many continue to face challenges meeting their health care needs, according to a report released by the March of Dimes Foundation and the Urban Institute. The report found that the uninsured rate among women ages 18 to 44 declined from 19.6% in the summer of 2013 to 13.3% in the winter of 2014-2015. According to the report, that decline represents about 5.5 million women gaining insurance coverage. Kaiser Health News.