Latest California Healthline Stories
Meaningful Use Incentive Payments Reach $2.4B in California
Eligible professionals and hospitals in California have received the most incentive payments for participating in the meaningful use program, compared with all other states. As of February, California providers received more than $2.4 billion of the $29.1 billion in total incentive payments paid out by CMS. Healthcare Finance.
Californians Report Fewer Health Care Access, Financial Issues
A Commonwealth Fund study finds states that have expanded Medicaid, such as California, have a lower percentage of residents who report problems accessing needed care, compared with non-expansion states. In addition, residents of states that did not expand Medicaid were more likely to report problems with medical bills and medical debt. Los Angeles Times, U.S. News & World Report.
Survey: Cost of Long-Term Elder Care Rising Across Calif., U.S.
A new survey from Genworth Financial finds that the median cost for long-term care for the elderly in California has consistently increased over the last five years. The highest increases in costs have been for nursing home services, followed by assisted-living facilities and home health aides. AP/Miami Herald, Genworth Financial release.
California Rep. Lois Capps Announces Retirement
Rep. Lois Capps, a former nurse, announced Wednesday that she will not seek re-election. Capps spent much of her time in office advocating for health care, including authoring a 2002 law providing financial aid for nursing school and a measure in 2000 providing grants for children’s dental care. In a statement, President Obama said Capps “has led efforts to increase access to health care, improve mental health services, detect and prevent domestic violence, protect our environment and improve education — all while consistently being voted the ‘nicest member of Congress.'” AP/New York Times, Los Angeles Times‘ “Politics Now.”
Long Beach Launches Website To Track, Improve Health
On Thursday, Long Beach launched an interactive website that aims to track and improve residents’ health. The site allows users to view demographic, health and quality of life indicators in the area, as well as compare Long Beach ZIP codes with other areas of the state. It was launched as part of National Public Health Week. Long Beach Press-Telegram, Long Beach Post.
UC-San Diego Researchers Find Brain Scans Can Predict Language Skills in Children With Autism
A new study by UC-San Diego researchers finds that brain scans can be used to determine whether infants and toddlers with autism will develop normal language abilities. If the research is confirmed, it would be the first time scientists used brain imaging technology to accurately diagnose autism and help inform therapy decisions. U-T San Diego et al.
Nebraska Legislature Rejects Medicaid Expansion
On Wednesday, the Nebraska Legislature voted 28-16 to effectively kill a bill that would implement an alternative Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. The legislation, by state Sen. Kathy Campbell, would have expanded Medicaid to cover an estimated 79,600 additional Nebraska residents by 2020. AP/Sacramento Bee.
Obama Supports Ban on ‘Conversion Therapy’ Practice
On Wednesday, President Obama voiced support for banning the practice of “conversion therapy” aimed at changing the gender identity or sexual orientation of gay, lesbian and transgender youth, noting that he will support state-level measures to ban the practice. The administration’s announcement comes in response to a petition signed by more than 120,000 people following the suicide of Leelah Alcorn, a 17-year-old transgender youth, who in her suicide note indicated she had been subjected to conversion therapy and condemned the practice. AP/San Francisco et al.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of April 10, 2015
Employees at Doctors Medical Center are receiving pink slips as the hospital prepares to shut down by April 21. An administrative law judge has ruled that Sutter Memorial Medical Center violated the rights of its registered nurses who were attempting to affiliate with the California Nurses Association.
Analysis Finds Long Wait Times at Most Calif. VA Medical Centers
An Associated Press analysis of Department of Veterans Affairs data finds that average wait times at VA medical centers, including those in California, have not decreased since September 2014, The data show all but one of the 61 VA medical centers in California experienced some care delays. AP/Portville Recorder et al.