Latest California Healthline Stories
Study Examines Calif. Hospitals’ Spending on Uncompensated Care
A new study by UC-San Francisco researchers finds that not-for-profit hospitals in California spend slightly more on charity care than for-profit hospitals. However, both types of hospitals spend an average of 4.4% of their operating expenses on uncompensated care. Washington Post‘s “To Your Health” et al.
Odds Are Against Groups Attempting To Oust Sen. Pan Over Childhood Vaccine Law
Experts say that the odds are against opponents of a contentious state vaccine law who are seeking signatures to recall the legislation’s author, state Sen. Richard Pan. The law will end personal belief exemptions to California’s childhood vaccination requirements beginning in July 2016. Of the 158 attempted recalls of California legislators since 1913, just five have succeeded. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
FDA Approves First 3D-Printed Prescription Drug
FDA for the first time has approved a prescription drug that was produced using 3D printing. The drug, Spritam, is a dissolvable tablet to treat seizures. It is produced by Aprecia Pharmaceuticals. Spritam is created using Aprecia’s “ZipDose” technology, which makes premeasured doses that disintegrate in the mouth with liquid. Aprecia said it expects Spritam to launch in the first quarter of 2016. Reuters, AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Hospitals in Calif., Other States Face Medicare Readmission Penalties
Thousands of hospitals across the U.S. will be penalized under CMS’ Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program for having too many patient readmissions within one month of discharge. For example, 65% of California hospitals participating in the program received penalties. Modern Healthcare et al.
White House Weighs In on State Exchange Premium Increases
The Obama administration is pressing state regulators to reduce insurers’ requests for large premium increases for 2016 plans offered through the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchange. Some insurers, including three in New Jersey, are seeking double-digit premium increases. New York Times et al.
Survey: Coverage Satisfaction Lower Among Exchange Enrollees
A new Deloitte survey finds that 30% of exchange enrollees are satisfied with their plan, compared with 42% of respondents with employer-sponsored plans, 48% of Medicaid beneficiaries and 58% of Medicare beneficiaries. Meanwhile, 14% of exchange enrollees said they are “not satisfied” with their coverage. Washington Times, The Hill.
Study: Health Care Quality, Use Vary Widely Across California
A new study finds that health care quality and use of resources in California vary significantly by county and type of health coverage. The study examined several performance measures, including cancer screenings, diabetes management and emergency department visits. Sacramento Bee, IHA study.
San Diego State University Awarded $2.5M Federal Grant for New Geriatric Training Center
HHS has awarded San Diego State University a $2.5 million grant to help create a collaborative center that aims to educate and train new geriatric health workers. The San Diego/Imperial Geriatric Education Center will provide advanced training to at least 60 graduate students, medical residents and fellows to help them identify and treat memory loss and associated chronic conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease. The center also is expected to provide geriatric training for 1,500 primary care providers, 9,000 service providers and 2,500 caregivers. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Newport Beach-Based Facility Is Nation’s First Third-Party, Transitional Care Provider
Earlier this year, Newport Beach-based Global Transitional Care became the first Medicare-approved, third-party transitional care provider in the U.S. Transitional care, which is designed to help vulnerable patients recover at home after spending time in inpatient care, is a new category of health care covered by Medicare under the Affordable Care Act. Orange County Register.
Calif. Organizations Spent $14.7M on Health Care Lobbying in Q2 2015
Data from the California secretary of state show that organizations spent about $14.7 million on health care-related lobbying efforts in the first quarter of 2015, up 45% from the same period last year. The increase was driven largely by concerns over Medicaid rates and the state’s new childhood vaccine law. Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”