Latest California Healthline Stories
Lowering Critical Access Hospitals’ Payment Rates Could Save Billions
A report from the HHS Office of Inspector General finds that Medicare could have saved $4.1 billion between 2005 and 2010 if critical access hospitals were not reimbursed at a higher rate for rehabilitation services than other facilities. However, CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner says the report might be flawed and does not account for certain factors. AP/U-T San Diego et al.
FDA Approves First Biosimilar Medication To Be Sold in U.S.
FDA has approved Zarxio, a biosimilar for Amgen’s biologic drug Neupogen, as the first biosimilar medication to be sold in the country. Observers say the decision could pave the way for the approval of other biosimilars, which could increase competition and lower costs in the prescription drug market. Wall Street Journal et al.
Targeted Programs Can Help Asians Make End-of-Life Care Decisions
Asian patients in California rarely use hospice or palliative care, even though their average life expectancy is longer than that of other racial groups. Programs, such as the Somang (Hope) Society’s “well-dying” campaign in Los Angeles, can help older Asian individuals make end-of-life health care plans. Korea Daily/New America Media.
Chiropractors Oppose Bill To End Personal Belief Vaccine Waivers
The California Chiropractic Association objects to a state bill that would end all personal belief exemptions to childhood vaccination requirements, noting that forced medical procedures are against many chiropractors’ values. If the bill is enacted, California would become the third state to only allow exemptions in cases when they are medically necessary. Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal.”
Calls for Superbug Reporting Rules Increase Amid Outbreaks
Stakeholders are calling for more oversight of antibiotic-resistant infections at health care facilities across the U.S. following a superbug outbreak at two California hospitals. Rep. Ted Lieu has announced plans to introduce legislation that would require hospitals to report cases of the superbug to CDC. Los Angeles Times.
Airport Disease Screening Processes Miss Up to 75% of Infected Travelers, UCLA Study Finds
Airport screening procedures to combat the spread of infectious diseases, such as SARS, Ebola and H1N1, miss 50% to 75% of infected travelers, according to a UCLA study. The study notes that most screening processes rely on travelers to self-report their exposure to diseases in questionnaires, which many individuals might not answer honestly. The report adds, “Increasing honest exposure reporting not only has the potential to enhance detection of infected travelers, but is essential for implementation of follow-up monitoring of travelers who may have been exposed but have not yet developed symptoms.” Los Angeles Times.
Editorial Urges California Officials To Bolster Funding for Public Health Systems
“[California] and the federal governments can’t realize the full potential of [health care] reform unless they reach a fair agreement on a new five-year financing deal to reimburse public health systems … that treat Medi-Cal patients,” a San Jose Mercury News editorial states. It argues that California should “invest more in the system because federal spending increases exponentially as states step up,” adding, “Investing in them will ultimately save billions in emergency room and hospital care costs.” San Jose Mercury News.
Many in U.S. Lack Access to Advanced Stroke Care
A new computer model shows more than 33% of U.S. residents would need to travel more than 60 minutes by car or ambulance to reach a medical center that provides the best stroke care. The model assumes that each state has up to 20 hospitals capable of providing such care, which currently is not a reality. Reuters.
Calif. Health Sector Added More Than 27K Jobs in 2014
California’s health care industry added 27,400 jobs in 2014, according to data released Friday by the state Employment Development Department. Overall, the data show that state’s unemployment rate fell to 6.9% in January. Inside Bay Area News, KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Study: Adults Catch Flu an Average of Twice Every 10 Years
Adults catch the flu about twice per decade on average, according to a study published Tuesday in PLOS Biology. The study found that flu becomes less common as people age, with children on average becoming infected with the flu every other year. The findings could help drugmakers and researchers predict how the virus will change, as well as how immunity to historical strains affects how vaccines work. Reuters.