Latest California Healthline Stories
New California Law Requires ‘Comprehensive’ Sex Ed for Public School Students
Earlier this month, Gov. Brown signed into law a bill that will require beginning Jan. 1, 2016, that all California public school students in grades seven through 12 be enrolled in mandatory “comprehensive” sexual health education courses. The state already requires such students to receive education on HIV prevention, but the new law calls for the curriculum to be expanded to include information about sexual harassment, adolescent relationship abuse, sex trafficking and other issues.
HHS Predicts Moderate ACA Enrollment Growth by End of 2016
HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell says she expects about 10 million U.S. residents will be enrolled in health coverage purchased through the Affordable Care Act’s insurance exchanges by the end of 2016. The figure represents a 900,000 increase from the number of individuals expected to be enrolled in exchange coverage by the end of this year. The Hill et al.
Study: High-Deductible Plans Could Deter Sick From Seeking Care
A new study by health economists at the National Bureau of Economic Research finds patients with high-deductible health plans were more likely to forgo care, but overall health care prices did not decline as expected. The results contrast with health economists’ beliefs that higher deductibles would drive down health care prices by encouraging patients to be more savvy shoppers. Vox.
Audit: Agencies Have Improved Emergency Preparedness
A new state audit finds that the California Department of Public Health and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services are better prepared to respond to emergencies after several deficiencies were found in 2013, such as inadequate training and funding. The audit removes the agencies’ high-risk classifications. Central Valley Business Times, Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
L.A. County Nursing Facility Fined $75K Over Patient Death
The California Department of Public Health has fined Los Angeles County-based OakPark Healthcare $75,000 for neglecting a patient who died. A CDPH investigation identified deficiencies that were directly related to the patient’s death. Payers & Providers.
Brown Signs Bill To Keep 12-Hour Hospital Worker Shifts
Gov. Brown has signed into law a bill that would preserve 12-hour hospital shifts by allowing workers to waive their second meal period. The bill, which was backed by the United Nurses Association of California/Union of Health Care Professions, was prompted by a February 2015 state appeals court decision that invalidated a state wage that requires workers to take a second meal if they work more than 12 hours. Sacramento Business Journal.
Registered Nurses in California Earn Highest Salaries, Data Show
Data compiled by finance website Insider Monkey show that registered nurses in California have the highest average annual income in the country, at $82,560, compared with the national average of $65,470. Massachusetts and Washington state had the next highest salaries for RNs. FierceHealthFinance, Insider Monkey.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of October 16, 2015
A state-hired consulting firm has recommended that California Attorney General Kamala Harris only approve BlueMountain Capital Management’s proposed acquisition of the Daughters of Charity Health System if the group agrees to certain conditions. Sutter Health has renewed its network relationship with UnitedHealthcare.
Policy Changes Could Boost ACOs’ Financial Outcomes
Although Medicare’s accountable care organizations have not performed as well as federal officials had hoped, experts say recent policy changes could help ACOs to see financial success. CMS in July issued a final rule for the Medicare Shared Savings Program that seeks to keep ACO participants in the program by giving them more flexibility. The rule will take effect in January 2016. Modern Healthcare‘s “Vital Signs.”
Number of West Nile Virus Cases in California Grows
Last week, the California Department of Public Health reported 67 new West Nile virus cases in the state, with one death reported in the San Fernando Valley. Overall, 311 Californians have tested positive for West Nile virus this year, which is about 33% fewer infections compared with the same time last year. Los Angeles Daily News.