Latest California Healthline Stories
Census Data Show Uptick in U.S. Health Care Spending Growth
A new analysis of Census data shows health spending grew at a 5.4% annual rate in the fourth quarter of 2014, higher than the less than 4% growth rate in each of the previous five years. Observers say an increase the number of insured U.S. residents under the Affordable Care Act could be contributing to the uptick. Bloomberg Business, Modern Healthcare.
Congress Could Pursue a Permanent Medicare Physician Payment Fix
Aides say House Speaker John Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi are looking for ways to implement a permanent fix for Medicare’s sustainable growth rate formula before the temporary “doc fix” expires at the end of this month. Physicians face about a 21% reduction in Medicare reimbursement rates unless Congress acts by April 1. Wall Street Journal et al.
Calif. Rule Has Curbed Psychiatric Rx Use for Low-Income Children
Under a California Department of Health Care Services prior authorization rule, the number of psychiatric drugs prescribed to children covered by the state’s Medicaid program has dropped. Specifically, the rate of prescription request rejections increased to 18% in January, up from 6% in October 2014, when the rule was implemented. Bay Area News Group/Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Sens. Urge Covered Calif. To Make Pregnancy a ‘Qualifying Life Event’
In a letter sent to Covered California yesterday, Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein called on the insurance exchange to include pregnancy as a “qualifying life event,” permitting women who become pregnant to sign up for coverage outside of the open enrollment period. KQED’s “State of Health,” KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Report Details Effects of Calif.’s Mental Health Services Act
Former Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg is touting a report on the effects of the Mental Health Services Act, citing declines in hospitalizations, homelessness and arrests among individuals receiving mental health treatment. The measure has raised more than $13 billion for mental health services. Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal,” Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Costa Mesa Tables Medical Marijuana Ordinance; Proponent Plans To File Lawsuit for a Vote
On Tuesday, the Costa Mesa City Council said that it will not approve a draft medical cannabis ordinance and instead will wait until 2016 when it can consider writing a ballot proposition. However, Fullerton Attorney Randall Longwith, a proponent of the ordinance, filed a preliminary injunction Tuesday and said he planned to file a lawsuit Wednesday against the city asking the court to order Costa Mesa to hold a special election instead of waiting until the general election in 2016. Orange County Register.
UC-San Francisco Researchers Suggest Medical Assistants Can Offer Effective Health Coaching
Medical assistants who worked as health coaches were effective at improving patients’ health, according to a study by UC-San Francisco researchers. The study, which was published in the Annals of Family Medicine, found that medical assistants were successful at helping patients control their hemoglobin A1c and low-density lipoprotein levels, but not blood pressure, when compared with patients who received typical care. Medscape.
Prime Says Harris’ Comments on Sale of Safety-Net Hospitals Falling Through Are ‘Blatantly False’
On Wednesday, Prime Healthcare Services said Attorney General Kamala Harris’ comment that the health system failed to make clear its objections to the conditions of the sale of six Daughters of Charity Health System safety-net hospitals is “a blatantly false claim.” In response, Prime released two letters previously sent to Harris’ office outlining its objections to the condition that they keep five of the six hospitals open for a decade after the deal closed. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area Biz Talk.”
Placer County Supervisors Vote To Ban the Use of E-Cigarettes in Public Buildings, Vehicles
On Tuesday, the Placer County Board of Supervisors voted to ban the use of electronic cigarettes in publicly owned buildings and vehicles, effective next month. According to the American Lung Association, more than 150 California jurisdictions — including Davis, Folsom, Rancho Cordova and Woodland — have adopted e-cigarette regulations. Sacramento Bee.
TB Cases Reported at Two Elk Grove Schools
This week, two schools in Elk Grove — Franklin High School and Franklin Elementary School — reported cases of tuberculosis. The two students who contracted the respiratory infection are related. They have been take out of the schools and are receiving care for the disease. California has a TB rate of 5.7 cases per 100,000 individuals — nearly twice as high as the national rate. Sacramento Bee.