Latest California Healthline Stories
UC-San Diego Files Suit Against USC, Prominent Alzheimer’s Researcher Over Major Study
On Thursday, UC-San Diego filed a lawsuit against the University of Southern California and a prominent Alzheimer’s researcher alleging they illegally planned to take over a major research project on the disease. Specifically, the lawsuit claims Paul Aisen — who left UC-San Diego last month to lead USC’s new Alzheimer’s institute — and eight colleagues illegally conspired to bring research data and other assets to the new institute. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Centene To Acquire Health Net in $6.8B Deal
Last week, insurer Centene Corporation reached a $6.8 billion deal to acquire Los Angeles-based Health Net. As a result, Health Net said it would put on hold a seven-year outsourcing deal with Cognizant Technology Solutions because of overlapping services and capabilities, potentially saving 900 jobs in Rancho Cordova. The deal, which requires state regulatory approval, is expected to close by early 2016.
Audit Slams Blue Shield of California for ‘High Surpluses,’ Limited Affordable Coverage Options
The California Franchise Tax Board in an audit criticized Blue Shield of California for amassing more than $4 billion in surpluses and failing to provide more affordable coverage or other public benefits. According to documents related to the audit, those criticisms helped to influence the board’s decision last year to revoke the insurer’s state tax exemption. Los Angeles Times.
Opponents of California’s New Vaccine Law Take Action
Shortly after Gov. Brown signed a bill ending all personal belief exemptions to California’s childhood vaccination requirements, opponents began taking action to block the legislation. For example, former Assembly member and gubernatorial candidate Tim Donnelly has proposed a ballot referendum to overturn the law. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News” et al.
California Health Care Personnel Roundup for June 2015
John Finston has been named general counsel for the California Department of Insurance, effective July 6. Karen Relucio has been named chief public health officer for Napa County, while Sayone Thihalolipavan has been named deputy public health officer for San Diego County.
Providers Increasingly Use Virtual Reality To Boost Preventive Care
Virtual reality platforms could help bolster preventive care efforts. Such technology allows users to experience and process various scenarios in the same way they would a real-life experience. Collaborations among health care researchers and virtual-reality simulation developers are starting to test ways in which the technology can support public health efforts. For example, a project at the University of Georgia uses virtual reality to show individuals the potential effects of consuming sugar-sweetened beverages. Wall Street Journal.
Dental-Related Emergency Department Visits Up
An increasing number of U.S. residents are delaying dental care and ending up in the emergency department for dental issues, according to recent American Dental Association analysis of federal data. ADA found that the number of U.S. residents who went to the ED for long-delayed dental care increased from about 1.1 million in 2000 to about 2.2 million in 2012. An ED visit costs about three times as much as a routine dental visit. Such visits cost the U.S. health care system $1.6 billion annually. Louisville Courier-Journal/USA Today.
IOM: Cardiac Arrest Survival Rate Low; Access to Care Issues Remain
A new Institute of Medicine report finds that the cardiac arrest survival rate outside of a hospital is low and calls for new efforts to address the issue. Meanwhile, a separate IOM report finds that inadequate appointment scheduling has contributed to problems with access to care. Modern Healthcare et al.
Drugmakers, Medical Device Makers Paid $6.49B to Providers in 2014
New data available on CMS’ Open Payments System show health care providers received $6.49 billion in payments from drugmakers and medical device manufacturers in 2014. The new data include payments made to more than 600,000 physicians and 1,100 hospitals in 2014, marking the first time such data have been released for an entire year. Wall Street Journal et al.
Brown Signs Bill Eliminating Personal Belief Vaccine Waivers
Yesterday, Gov. Brown signed into law a contentious bill that will end all personal belief exemptions to California’s childhood vaccination requirements starting next year. California now joins Mississippi and West Virginia as the third and largest state to only permit medical exemptions for vaccinations. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert” et al.