Latest California Healthline Stories
Calif. Faces Setback in Efforts To Regain Control of Prison Health Care
A new report released by the California Office of the Inspector General finds that medical care at the California Correctional Center in Susanville is “inadequate.” The facility received a failing grade, while the state OIG gave passing grades to three other prison medical programs earlier this year. AP/KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
N.C. Legislature Reaches Tentative Agreement To Adopt ‘Hybrid’ Medicaid Model
North Carolina’s House and Senate have tentatively agreed to transition Medicaid away from a fee-for-service model to a “hybrid” model that splits oversight responsibilities between managed care organizations and provider-led entities, which are created by local hospitals or physician groups. Under the tentative agreement, both MCOs and PLEs would play a role in providing coverage, and beneficiaries could choose between them. WRAL News’ “@NCCapitol.”
A new Senate mental health bill — called the Mental Health Reform Act of 2015 — would relax a federal law that regulates the sharing of paper and electronic health records for patients with substance misuse issues. The bill aims to reform the behavioral health care delivery system by integrating physical and mental health services. In addition, the legislation would “streamline” the requirements of 42 Code of Federal Regulations Part 2, a privacy law that covers thousands of federally funded drug and alcohol misuse treatment facilities. Modern Healthcare.
Modern Healthcare Unveils List of Health Care’s ‘100 Most Influential’
Two California-based hospital leaders — Bernard Tyson, chair and CEO of Kaiser Permanente, and Lloyd Dean, president and CEO of Dignity Health — ranked in the top 20 of Modern Healthcare‘s 14th annual list of the “100 Most Influential People in Health Care.” The list includes a range of policymakers, hospital leaders, insurance executives and more. Modern Healthcare.
33% of Positions Vacant at Nine VA Regional Care Systems
About one-third of jobs are vacant at nine regional Department of Veterans Affairs health care systems, including a Long Beach, Calif., facility, which can cause delays in veterans’ care. The vacancy rate for psychologists is one of the highest, with 21% of such positions open nationwide. USA Today.
Berkeley Soda Tax Health Gains Could Be Smaller Than Expected
A new study finds that Berkeley’s first-of-its-kind tax on sugar-sweetened beverages has increased retail prices for such drinks by less than half the amount officials expected. As a result, reductions in sugary beverage consumption and health improvements might not be as high as anticipated. Daily Caller, Cornell Chronicle.
Judge: Calif. Must Explain Backlog of Inmates With Mental Illnesses
A federal judge has ordered California to explain why state prisons have a backlog of inmates with mental health issues waiting for care while there are hundreds of open beds available. Officials have 30 days to determine whether filling the beds would eliminate the backlog. AP/Washington Times, Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal.”
San Jose State University Begins Enforcing Tobacco Ban
On Aug. 1, San Jose State University began enforcing new rules banning all tobacco products and electronic cigarettes on campus. Officials say the rules follow a rise in e-cigarette use among students. San Jose Mercury News.
San Diego County Mental Health Special Fund Stymied by Funding Requirements
San Diego County has amassed more than $170 million in a special fund dedicated for mental health services under a 2004 statewide ballot initiative, exceeding the $42.2 million threshold deemed a “prudent reserve.” San Diego health officials say they have plans to spend the money, but they are not legally able to use the funding for certain services, such as inpatient care or 24-hour locked facilities. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Stanford ED Launches ‘Time Banking’ Program To Reduce Physician Burnout
The Stanford Department of Emergency Medicine has launched a “time banking” program designed to alleviate physician burnout. The program allows doctors to “bank” the time they spend mentoring, serving on committees, accepting last-minute shifts or deploying in emergencies to earn credits to use for work- or home-related services, such as babysitters, elder care, ready-made meal deliveries and cleaning services. Washington Post.