Latest California Healthline Stories
Calif. Has Lowest Rate of Children Prescribed Drugs for ADHD
A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics finds that California has the lowest percentage of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder who are prescribed medication to treat the condition. Washington Post‘s “To Your Health” et al.
Study: Californians Think HIEs Worsen Data Privacy, Security
A study by UC-Davis and UC-San Diego researchers finds that about 40% of Californians believe health information exchanges worsen privacy and security. In addition, the findings suggest that many residents want to control the use of their data for research purposes. Health IT Security, FierceHealthIT.
36K Sign Up via Federal Exchange During Special Enrollment Period
The Obama administration says that as of March 29 about 36,000 U.S. residents had signed up for coverage through HealthCare.gov during the special open enrollment period. Overall, about four million U.S. residents are estimated to be potentially eligible to sign up during the special enrollment period. The Hill, AP/Sacramento Bee.
On Wednesday, health care providers and students at Loma Linda University Health became the first in California to take part in the Abiomed Mobile Learning Lab, which provides simulator training on the smallest heart pump in the world. The Impella 2.5 is designed for patients who are not candidates for bypass surgery or those in other medical situations. San Bernardino Sun.
Nevada Mental Health Facility Regains Accreditation After 2013 Patient Busing Investigation
On Tuesday, the Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services agency announced that the Rawson-Neal Psychiatric Hospital in Las Vegas was reaccredited by the Joint Commission for 36 months. The facility lost its accreditation in 2013 after investigations found it was busing patients with mental illnesses to California and other states. AP/Sacramento Bee.
L.A. Workers Unions Could Strike After Contract Negotiations Stall Over Health Care Premiums
Leaders of the Service Employees International Union are reportedly preparing to hold a strike vote over stalled contract negotiations between Los Angeles officials and the Coalition of L.A. City Unions, which represents about 20,000 state employees. Points of contention include the city wanting workers to contribute more toward their health care premiums. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
Efforts To Increase Medi-Cal Rates Continue, Despite SCOTUS Ruling
California providers say that this week’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling limiting lawsuits against state Medicaid agencies will not derail their efforts to increase reimbursement rates. For instance, state lawmakers are set to consider two bills this month that aim to align Medi-Cal rates with those under Medicare, among other things. Sacramento Business Journal, AB 366/SB 243.
On Monday, Seattle health officials said that more patients across the country might have been infected with bacteria from medical endoscopes manufactured by Olympus America than previously estimated. Olympus’ scopes have been linked to Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae superbug outbreaks at UCLA’s Ronald Reagan Medical Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle. According to a report published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, health officials said that they “suspect endoscope-associated transmission of bacteria is more common than recognized and not adequately prevented by current reprocessing guidelines.” Los Angeles Times.
Tenn. Senate Committee Rejects Revised Version of Medicaid Expansion Plan
On Tuesday, a Tennessee Senate committee voted 6-2 against advancing a revised version of Gov. Bill Haslam’s alternative Medicaid expansion proposal. Haslam’s plan would have used federal funding to extend coverage to state residents with annual incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level by helping them to purchase health plans offered by their employers or by enrolling them in the state’s Medicaid program. AP/Washington Times.
Providers Increasingly Sharing More Health Data With Patients
The health care industry’s shift from fee-for-service payment models to alternative payment systems has spurred more providers to share medical data with patients. While experts say providing patients with more access to their medical data could help them make healthier choices, some stakeholders have raised concerns about legal risks and privacy. New York Times.