Latest California Healthline Stories
Stanford Children’s Health Says Only Eight Vaccines Affected by Faulty Refrigerator
This week, Stanford Children’s Health said that eight vaccines — not 10 as originally reported — were compromised by a faulty refrigerator at Peninsula Pediatric Medical Group, a medical office affiliated with the health system. The health system has sent letters to affected patients’ families and will offer no-cost replacement vaccines. San Jose Mercury News.
CMS’ Latest Hospital Compare Data Show Decline in Five-Star Ratings
New data on CMS’ Hospital Compare website show a decrease in the number of five-star hospitals. CMS awarded five-star ratings to 207 Medicare-certified acute-care hospitals of the 3,539 eligible hospitals, compared with 336 of the 3,548 eligible hospitals in July. Becker’s Infection Control & Clinical Quality.
Experts Call on Congress To Mitigate Medicare Premium Hikes
During a National Coalition on Health Care forum yesterday, experts proposed ways for Congress to address substantial increases to Medicare premiums for some beneficiaries. The projected premium increases could affect roughly 30% of the 51 million U.S. residents enrolled in Medicare Part B. Modern Healthcare et al.
Blue Shield of Calif. Agrees To Limit Premiums, Recalculate Rebates
Blue Shield of California has agreed to a state Department of Managed Health Care order to limit its premiums for certain policies in 2016 and 2017, as well as to recalculate its medical loss ratio estimates for 2015 and 2016. DMHC and Blue Shield said the insurer’s recently approved acquisition of Care1st Health Plan did not influence the agreement. Payers & Providers.
C-Section Rates Vary Significantly at Calif. Hospitals, Leapfrog Finds
A new Leapfrog Group report finds that California hospitals in 2014 had an average cesarean section rate of 25.7% for first-time, low-risk pregnancies. However, the rates varied significantly by facility, ranging from 11.2% at Twin Cities Community Hospital in Templeton to 40.2% at Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport. KPCC’s “Impatient” et al.
California Adopts Statewide Data Breach Notification Requirements
Just three months after UCLA Health announced a data breach affecting the personal health records of up to 4.5 million people, Gov. Brown has signed into law a legislative package to adopt statewide breach notification requirements. The three-bill package addresses data encryption standards, the definition of personal information and the language for data breach notifications. FierceHealthIT, Health IT Security.
Brown Signs Bill Banning Smokeless Tobacco at Major League Baseball Venues
Gov. Brown has signed into law a bill that makes California the first state to ban the use of smokeless tobacco at major league baseball stadiums. However, the new law does not include an enforcement provision. San Jose Mercury News, AP/Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Clinton Supports Extending ACA Coverage to Undocumented Immigrants
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for president, said during Tuesday’s Democratic candidate debate that undocumented immigrants should be able to access some benefits under the Affordable Care Act. Clinton said undocumented immigrants should be able to purchase health plans through the ACA’s exchanges. However, she noted that such individuals should not be eligible for the law’s subsidies to help individuals purchase exchange coverage. The Hill.
L.A. County Launches Effort To Curb Childhood Obesity
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has launched a new campaign aimed at curbing childhood obesity by encouraging families to drink water instead of sugary beverages. In addition to the new campaign, health officials are working to boost the nutritional quality of food offered on campuses and including more play time during the school day. Los Angeles Times.
Advocacy Groups Seek To Educate Doctors About Calif.’s New Physician-Assisted Death Law
Advocacy groups are launching campaigns to educate physicians about a new law legalizing physician-assisted death in California. For example, a new toll-free helpline offers doctors access to physicians in other states where the practice is legal. The groups also plan to share educational information in training sessions, online, and at hospitals and medical schools. KQED’s “State of Health.”