Latest California Healthline Stories
Gov. Brown To Launch New California Precision Medicine Initiative
Today, Gov. Brown is set to launch the California Precision Medicine Initiative, which aims to improve health care and lower costs by using patient data to apply targeted therapies to individuals. The initiative will be led by the University of California health system. San Francisco Business Times‘ “BiotechSF.”
California Lawmakers Considering Several Mental Health Reform Bills
California Assembly members have introduced several bills aimed at improving the state’s mental health care system. Some of the bills seek to increase implementation of Laura’s Law among counties, while others would address how law enforcement officials handle individuals with mental health issues. Los Angeles Times.
U.S. Uninsured Rate Declines to 11.9% in Q1 2015, Survey Finds
A new Gallup and Healthways survey finds that the U.S. uninsured rate fell to 11.9% in the first quarter of 2015, marking the lowest level since Gallup began tracking insurance in 2008. The poll found that the greatest coverage gains have been among Hispanics, whose uninsured rate has declined by about eight percentage points since 2013. Wall Street Journal‘s “Washington Wire,” AP/Sacramento Bee.
Covered California Proposes Specialty Rx Price Caps for 2016
Covered California officials have proposed specialty prescription drug price caps for the exchange’s 2016 plans. Under the proposal, consumers would pay at most $500 per specialty drug, depending on their level of coverage. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News,” Covered California Plan Management Advisory Group report.
Glendora Police Department Receives Approval To Carry Opioid, Heroin Overdose Antidote
The Glendora Police Department in Los Angeles County has been approved to carry naloxone, a medication that reverses the effects of opioid or heroin overdoses. Police and paramedics are allowed to carry the antidote under a new state law that went into effect April 1. AP/KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
L.A. County Budget Proposal Includes Funding for More Medical Staff, Jail Mental Health System
On Monday, officials in Los Angeles County proposed a $26.9 billion budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1 that would increase county medical staff, such as nurses and social workers, and continue to support health care reforms. In addition, the proposed budget includes $45.3 million to continue efforts to improve the jail mental health system.
On Thursday, the California-based U.S. Right to Know advocacy group filed citizen petitions, urging FDA and the Federal Trade Commission to bar companies from labeling artificially sweetened products with the word “diet.” The American Beverage Association, on behalf of several soft-drink makers, refuted the claims, saying several studies have shown that diet beverages “are an effective tool as part of an overall weight management plan.” McClatchy Washington Bureau/San Jose Mercury News.
FDA Orders UCLA Researchers To End Promotional Claims About Brain Scan Using Unapproved Drug
FDA has ordered two UCLA researchers to cease making promotional claims about an experimental brain scan. The researchers claimed that injecting patients with the radioactive compound FDDNP before a brain scan could help identify concussions and forms of dementia, but FDA found the claims violated federal law against promoting unapproved drugs. Los Angeles Times‘ “Science Now.”
CMS Proposes New 2015 Meaningful Use Reporting Period
On Friday, CMS released a proposed rule that would shorten Medicare and Medicaid meaningful use attestation for eligible professionals and hospitals to a 90-day reporting period in 2015. CMS said that the proposed rule aims to reduce reporting requirements and enable program participants to focus on advanced use of EHR technology and make improvements in quality to support health data exchange and interoperability. Modern Healthcare, Healthcare IT News.
Senate Faces Deadline on SGR; CMS Says Bill Not a Permanent Fix
Today, the Senate returns from recess and lawmakers face a tight deadline to approve legislation that would replace the sustainable growth rate formula, before a 21% Medicare payment cut to health care providers takes effect on April 15. Meanwhile, a CMS report finds that the bill likely will not fully resolve access to care issues for Medicare beneficiaries. Modern Healthcare et al.