Latest California Healthline Stories
Arkansas House Reauthorizes Alternative Medicaid Plan
The Arkansas House on Thursday voted 82-16 to reauthorize funding for the state’s alternative Medicaid expansion through June 2016. Under the plan, Arkansas uses federal money for Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act to purchase private coverage for about 250,000 eligible low-income residents. AP/ABC News.
Medicare To Cover Low-Dose CT Scans for Lung Cancer Screening
Yesterday, CMS announced that it will cover annual low-dose CT scans for lung cancer screenings for Medicare beneficiaries at high risk of the disease. The coverage takes effect immediately and is expected to cost about $9.3 billion over the next five years. Modern Healthcare et al.
Death Rate for Blacks Diagnosed With HIV Declines, CDC Report Finds
A CDC report finds the death rate among blacks who were diagnosed with HIV fell at a greater rate than other racial and ethnic groups between 2008 and 2012. However, researchers say the number of blacks diagnosed with HIV who died in 2012 still was more than the combined HIV death rates of whites and Hispanics. Washington Post‘s “To Your Health” et al.
Cal-OSHA, Other Agencies Mull Stricter Hospital Worker Protections
This week, the California Department of Occupational Safety and Health and other state and federal agencies discussed proposals for improving workplace safety in health care facilities. During a meeting, health workers said new standards should require hospitals to implement armed security, metal detectors and surveillance cameras. NBC4 News, Department of Industrial Relations release.
DOI Launches Investigation Into Anthem’s Response to Breach
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones has launched an investigation into Anthem’s response to a data breach affecting about 80 million individuals in California and other states. Meanwhile, Consumer Watchdog and Patient Privacy Rights say that the breach shows the need for stronger privacy protections in the California Integrated Data Exchange. Bay City News et al.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of February 6, 2015
The newly opened UC-San Francisco Medical Center in Mission Bay has implemented a fleet of robots to assist with operations around the hospital. Some patients at Southern California Hospital were temporarily evacuated after a fire broke out at the facility.
Study: End-of-Life Care Worsened From 1998 to 2010
The number of U.S. residents who experienced pain in the last year of their life increased by nearly 12% between 1998 and 2010, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The researchers found that along with the reports of more people in pain, reports of depression and periodic confusion during that period also increased by about 26%. Washington Post‘s “Wonkblog,” Kaiser Health News.
L.A. County Jail Inmate Suicides Fell by 50% in 2014
Five Los Angeles County jail inmates committed suicide in 2014, down from 10 in 2013, according to new data from the county Sheriff’s Department. Officials say they made changes in inmate placement and increased their use of mental health teams after federal officials last year said suicide rates were too high. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Measles Outbreak Could Prove Costly for Local Health Departments, Analysis Shows
Although there is currently no estimate for the total cost of the measles outbreak, which has affected at least 112 individuals, an analysis published in the journal Vaccine estimates that this type of large outbreak could cost health departments a median between $4,091 and $10,228 per day. Such outbreaks require nurses and epidemiologists to monitor confirmed and suspected patients for up to 21 days. Scientific American.
FDA Commissioner Hamburg To Step Down in March
FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, who has overseen several health IT initiatives, will step down at the end of next month. Hamburg announced her resignation in an e-mail to staff. President Obama appointed Hamburg in 2009. She has been one of the longest-serving FDA commissioners. Stephen Ostroff, chief scientist at FDA, will serve as acting commissioner when Hamburg leaves. EHR Intelligence et al.