Latest California Healthline Stories
Ariz. Lawmakers Approve Limits on Medicaid Expansion
The Arizona Legislature on Thursday approved a measure that would limit coverage under the state’s Medicaid expansion to five years for some beneficiaries. The bill would require beneficiaries to pay copayments for unnecessary emergency department visits and ambulance use. It includes several exemptions, including for individuals receiving disability assistance, pregnant women, students and those caring for young children. AP/Washington Times.
Consumer Group Warns FDA Against Delaying Generic Rx Label Rules
Public Citizen says FDA is “allowing industry pressure to delay and possibly endanger” a final rule that would require generic drugmakers to update their product labels without FDA approval if they receive new information about the safety of those products. FDA in December 2014 said it expects to issue a final rule on the subject later this year. Roll Call‘s “Healthopolis” et al.
GAO: Widespread Overuse of Antipsychotic Rx Drugs Among Elderly
A new Government Accountability Office report finds evidence of widespread overuse of psychiatric drugs among older U.S. residents with dementia. While the Obama administration has worked to decrease use of such drugs in nursing homes, the authors note that HHS “has taken little action” to lower use among older adults at home or in assisted-living facilities. New York Times.
Report: Integrated Delivery Networks Lack Evidence of Benefits
A new report finds little evidence that integrated delivery networks, such as the one at Sutter Health in Northern California, have reduced costs or improved the quality of care. The report recommends improving operating and financial disclosures related to integrated care delivery and creating a nationwide all-payer claims database. Becker’s Infection Control & Clinical Quality, NASI release.
Event Raises $26K for UC-Irvine Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
On Thursday, UC-Irvine students and supporters raised more than $26,000 at a six-hour dance marathon to benefit the UC-Irvine Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The seventh annual Care-a-thon surpassed last year’s event, which raised about $20,000. Orange County Register.
DPH Confirms Seven New Measles Cases in California
On Friday, the California Department of Public Health announced that an additional seven cases of measles have been reported in the state, bringing the total number of cases to 130 since an outbreak began at Disneyland in December 2014. Meanwhile, Berkeley public health officials say that an individual who may have exposed at least 1,500 Bay Area Rapid Transit commuters to measles also visited a Berkeley restaurant on Feb. 20, potentially exposing hundreds of diners and workers. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now,” AP/Sacramento Bee.
Many Foster Kids in Calif., Other States Miss Health Screenings
A new report by the HHS Office of Inspector General finds that 29% of children enrolled in foster care programs in four states — including California — who were covered by Medicaid missed at least one required medical screening. Meanwhile, about 28% received at least one screening late. Kaiser Health News, HHS OIG report.
Equity Firm Responds To Daughters of Charity Lawsuit
On Friday, Blue Wolf Capital — a private equity firm that is being sued by Daughters of Charity Health System for allegedly interfering in the sale of six safety net hospitals — in an emailed statement said it is “confident [the lawsuit] will be found to be completely without basis or merit.” The group says that it proposed a plan to help strengthen and save the hospital system, which currently is in negotiations with Prime Healthcare Services. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area Biz Talk.”
California Health Care Personnel News Roundup for February 2015
Kathleen Billingsley will step down from her position as chief deputy director of policy programs for the California Department of Public Health. David Feinberg, CEO of UCLA Hospital System, will leave the university to become CEO of Geisinger Health System in Pennsylvania.
CDC: Overuse of Antibiotics Increases Risk of C. Diff
The overuse of antibiotics makes U.S. residents more vulnerable to contracting the Clostridium difficile bacterium, which caused almost 500,000 infections and at least 29,000 deaths in one year, according to a CDC study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. C. diff is spread through individuals’ hands and health care equipment and surfaces. The bacteria can produce toxins that cause deadly diarrhea and severe bowel damage. Reuters.