Latest California Healthline Stories
Alaska Supreme Court Rejects Lawmakers’ Request To Block Medicaid Expansion
On Monday, the Alaska Supreme Court rejected state lawmakers’ request to block Gov. Bill Walker from expanding Medicaid, meaning the Walker administration can begin implementing the program as planned on Sept. 1. The move comes after Superior Court Judge Frank Pfiffner on Friday rejected a request from Alaska lawmakers to temporarily block Walker from expanding the program. The suit argued that the group Walker intended to expand Medicaid to is considered optional under the ACA, not mandatory, and thus subject to approval via the Legislature. Pfiffner found that Walker’s expansion plan covers a mandatory population. Washington Times.
On Monday, Kim Kardashian West updated an Instagram post promoting Duchesnay’s morning sickness drug Diclegis to comply with FDA guidelines. Earlier in August, FDA warned Duchesnay that Kardashian West’s post did not adequately disclose risk information. According to FDA, the post should have included information about the treatment’s side effects, including possible complications when combined with alcohol and other medications that cause drowsiness, such as sleeping aids or some pain relievers. The Hill.
Covered California Seeking Call Center Support Staff for Next Open Enrollment Period
Covered California has issued a request for proposals for a contractor that can provide call center support staff in Sacramento during the peak times of the insurance exchange’s next open enrollment period. The RFP seeks the equivalent of up to 600 full-time workers to provide voice, chat and data entry services for about six months — from Sept. 28 through March 31, 2016. The contract would be worth up to $12 million, according to the posting. Proposals are due by Sept. 8. Sacramento Business Journal.
GAO: VA Medical Errors Increased While Investigations Declined
The Government Accountability Office finds the number of reported adverse medical events at Department of Veterans Affairs facilities increased by 7% between fiscal year 2010 and FY 2014, while the number of root-cause investigations into such events decreased by 18%. The report did not examine why such investigations declined, but VA is completing its own review of the issue. Washington Post‘s “Federal Eye.”
Report Links Poor School Attendance to Chronic Health Issues
A new report finds that absenteeism among school-aged children in California and other states is linked to chronic health conditions, among other factors. For example, asthma — which affects 15.4% of California kids — accounts for about 14 million absences nationwide every school year. KPCC’s “KPCC News,” Attendance Works/Health Schools Campaign report.
CDC Report Finds U.S. Adult Smoking Rate Falls to 15%
A new CDC report finds the percentage of U.S. adults who smoke continued to decline, reaching 15% in 2015. Officials from the American Lung Association say while smoking bans have been effective, it is unclear whether electronic cigarettes have had a significant effect on the decline. HealthDay, AP/Long Beach Press-Telegram.
Brown Orders Creation of Security Center To Protect State Databases
Yesterday, Gov. Brown signed an executive order to establish a new security center tasked with strengthening state agencies’ cybersecurity protections. The executive action follows a state audit that found the state’s databases — which house medical records and other personal information — are vulnerable to data breaches. AP/Sacramento Bee, Office of the Governor release.
Many Calif. Seniors Need Help Paying for Health Care, Other Expenses
A UCLA Center for Health Policy Research brief finds that “potentially hundreds of thousands of economically insecure older Californians are denied aid” because public assistance programs base eligibility on the federal poverty level. While about 340,000 California seniors fall below the poverty level, about 772,000 more need help paying for medical care, housing and other expenses. KPCC’s “KPCC News,” UCLA brief.
Opinion Piece Touts Bill To Boost Access for People With Disabilities, Reduce Unnecessary Lawsuits
In a Sacramento Bee opinion piece, Brian Chase and Nancy Peverini of Consumer Attorneys of California stump for a bill by Sen. Richard Roth that “would create unprecedented protections for businesses while encouraging them to boost access” for people with disabilities. Among other things, they note that the bill’s “120-day grace period and tax credit are good motivation for business owners to hire access specialists and correct any problems, thus avoiding … lawsuits that don’t address the real problems, and encourage more building owners to make their public accommodations accessible, once and for all.” Sacramento Bee‘s “Soapbox.”
Berkeley Warns Public of Potential Measles Exposure
On Monday, Berkeley officials confirmed that a UC-Berkeley student has been diagnosed with measles and was placed in isolation. Officials said the student may have exposed the public to the highly infectious disease between Aug. 24 and Aug. 29 and urged residents to ensure they and their children are fully vaccinated against the disease. San Francisco Chronicle, Bay Area News.