Latest California Healthline Stories
Quality of Calif. Long-Term Care Complaint Investigations Vary
New data from the California Department of Public Health show that the adequacy of long-term care facility complaint investigations varies by county, with Los Angeles County lagging behind most areas. Statewide, long-term care facility complaints remained open for an average of 255 days. Los Angeles Times, DPH report.
Calif. Bills Targeting Foster System’s Rx Use Could Cost $22M
According to estimates, a legislative package aimed at reducing the amount of psychiatric medication prescribed to children in California’s foster care system could cost the state more than $22 million annually. Some stakeholders say Gov. Brown’s proposed fiscal year 2015-2016 budget indicates he could be open to signing the package. San Jose Mercury News.
Editorial Urges Lawmakers To Expand Nurse Practitioners’ Scope of Practice To Boost Access to Care
“Removing barriers to nurse practitioners providing care and patient services would give more Californians access to health care while controlling costs,” a San Francisco Chronicle editorial argues. The editorial touts a bill introduced by Sen. Ed Hernandez that would allow nurse practitioners to practice without direct supervision of a physician in certain settings. San Francisco Chronicle.
FDA Panel Warns Against Scopes Linked to Outbreaks
On Friday, an FDA advisory committee concluded that medical endoscopes that have been linked to a superbug outbreak at two California hospitals this year are unsafe. The committee urged FDA to do more to protect patients but stopped short of calling for FDA to prohibit the use of the scopes. Los Angeles Times.
Sacramento Health Center Nears $4M Expansion Deal
The not-for-profit Sacramento Native American Health Center is in final negotiations for a $4 million expansion to increase access to care for low-income residents. The expansion, which would include an optometry clinic and increase the number of medical exam rooms and dental chairs, is expected to be done in October or November. Sacramento Business Journal.
8% of Calif. Dentists May Overcharge Medicaid for Pediatric Services
A new HHS Office of Inspector General report identifies more than 300 dentists and half a dozen orthodontists in California who had questionable billing practices related to treatment for children in the state’s Medicaid program. California’s Medicaid program paid such providers a combined $118 million for pediatric dental services in 2012. AP/Sacramento Bee.
Cyberattack Had Little Effect on Anthem’s Reputation
Anthem’s massive cyberattack slightly harmed the company’s reputation with consumers, but overall the company’s image remains strong, according to a survey. In February, Anthem officials said about 13.5 million Californians were involved in data breach that affected 78.8 million of the insurer’s customers, former customers and employees across the U.S. Prior to the data breach, 51% of consumers said Anthem was a better brand than other insurers. That percentage dropped to 45% in a follow-up survey after the cyberattack was disclosed. Indianapolis Business Journal‘s “The Dose.”
Study Finds Link Between Depression, Stroke
A recent study by researchers at UC-San Francisco and other organizations found that patients older than age 50 who experience persistent depression symptoms were more likely to have a stroke than those who do not experience such symptoms. The study concluded that doctors should treat depression symptoms more aggressively. Payers & Providers.
Senate Panel To Probe How Obama Admin. Awards Federal Subsidies
The Senate Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Investigations says it will examine whether the Obama administration is checking individuals’ incomes and citizenship statuses before awarding subsidies to help U.S. residents purchase exchange coverage. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue a decision next month in a case that challenged the legality of the federal subsidies. The Hill et al.
25% of Individual Coverage Policyholders Skipped Care Due to Cost
A Families USA report finds that more than 25% of U.S. residents who were enrolled in coverage purchased through the individual market skipped needed medical care in 2014 because of cost. The report authors suggest the use of high-deductible health plans has led to insured individuals being unable to afford medical care. Washington Post‘s “To Your Health” et al.