Latest California Healthline Stories
‘Deficit Hawks’ Criticize House-Approved SGR Replacement Legislation
Advocates for reducing the federal deficit say the proposed savings in a House-approved bill to replace Medicare’s sustainable growth rate formula represent only a small fraction of the $9 trillion Medicare is expected to spend over a 10-year period. In addition, they say early estimates have not analyzed the bill’s overall potential cost. AP/ABC News.
Some Federal Exchange Enrollees Get Tax Filing Reprieve
The Department of Treasury says individuals who received the incorrect tax forms from the federal health insurance exchange can have until Oct. 15 to file their taxes, if they request an extension. The government is not requiring those who already have filed their taxes using the wrong forms to refile their taxes. The Hill.
CDCR To Limit Punishments for Inmates With Mental Health Issues
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has issued a change to the way it punishes inmates with mental health issues. Officials now will provide such inmates counseling services, rather than sending them to isolation units when they act out. AP/Sacramento Bee.
$154M Grant for Los Angeles County’s Emergency Communications System Suspended
On Friday, the U.S. Department of Commerce suspended a $154 million grant to the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System Authority, which is used to help coordinate county services during emergencies. The commerce department said the system is “severely behind schedule” and ordered the county to “stop all work immediately” on the project. Los Angeles County‘s “L.A. Now.”
The Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency has reported a potential data breach affecting 845 patients at the department’s clinics in Visalia and Farmersville. Affected patients had used the county’s online patient portal. The incident occurred when an employee sent an unencrypted email. Porterville Recorder.
California Health Care Personnel News Roundup for March 2015
Blue Shield of California has hired Kathleen Billingsley as vice president of its CalPERS and University of California accounts. Toby Douglas — former director of the California Department of Health Care Services — has been hired as a senior strategic adviser at Sellers Dorsey, a Medicaid consulting firm in Philadelphia.
University of Calif. Doctors Prepare for Another Walkout
This week, physicians at 10 University of California student health centers plan to launch a five-day strike over alleged unfair labor practices. Doctors at Northern California campuses will walk out from April 9 through April 13, while doctors at Southern California campuses will strike from April 11 to April 15. The action follows a similar walkout earlier this year. Sacramento Business Journal.
UCSD-Led Study: Cigarette Smoke Exacerbates MRSA
Exposure to cigarette smoke can worsen methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and make the bacteria harder to kill, according to a study led by UC-San Diego researchers. Specifically, the study found that MRSA bacteria that are exposed to smoke extract were four times more resistant than non-exposed MRSA. U-T San Diego.
CSU-Long Beach Program To Assist Students in Need With Access to Some Medical, Financial Support
California State University-Long Beach is developing a program to provide aid to students faced with unexpected emergencies, such as illnesses or hospitalizations. Through the Student Emergency Intervention Program — which will be funded in large part through the university’s Declare Campaign fundraising effort — students will be able to donate food, money and temporary housing to other students in need. Qualifying events will include illnesses or hospitalization, medical expenses for students or their spouse or child, car accidents and loss of housing. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
CMS, ONC Look To Increase Health IT Use Among Innovation States
CMS and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT are working together to give participants in CMS’ State Innovation Models initiative access to online tools and resources. California was among HHS’ first wave of funding recipients in 2013. FierceHealthIT et al.