Latest California Healthline Stories
CMS To Publish Physician Payment Data Annually
A CMS spokesperson has said the agency will publish updated physician payment data each year, but did not say when it will release the next installment of data. The data include information on payments made under Medicare Part B to all participating providers.The American Medical Association and other groups have criticized the release, which they argue contains incorrect and incomplete data that could mislead consumers. AMA has urged HHS not to release any more data until the current information is improved. CMS has not indicated whether it would make any changes to the reporting system going forward. Wall Street Journal.
Obama’s FY 2016 Budget To Help Fight Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
Today, President Obama released his fiscal year 2016 budget proposal, which is expected to include $1.2 billion in funding for efforts to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The $4 trillion budget request also is expected to include funding for Obama’s recently released personalized medicine initiative. Wall Street Journal et al.
107 Measles Cases Confirmed; Kaiser Calls About Susceptible Kids
Officials have confirmed at least 107 cases of measles in eight states and Mexico, including 58 cases in California that are linked to an outbreak that began at Disneyland. Meanwhile, Kaiser Permanente is notifying parents who have children who are under-immunized. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now” et al.
Report: California Spends Least per Person on Diabetes Prevention
A new report finds that California spends the least amount of money per person on diabetes prevention programs of any state. Specifically, the report notes that the state in fiscal year 2012-2013 spent just three cents per person on such efforts, all of which came from federal grants. Kaiser Health News, California State Auditor report.
Calif. Lawmakers Plan To Stem Overuse of Psychiatric Drugs
Several California lawmakers are planning legislation that would address the overprescribing of psychiatric drugs among children in the state’s foster care system. The legislation could ensure stakeholders receive proper information about such drugs and identify group homes that are prone to overmedication, among other goals. San Jose Mercury News/Inside Bay Area.
Student at Florin High School Diagnosed With TB, Prompting School To Begin Testing Others
On Friday, Sacramento County Public Health Officer Olivia Kasirye confirmed that a student at Florin High School had been diagnosed with tuberculosis. County officials said they would begin testing students who shared classrooms with the student, as well as others who had been near the student. Sacramento Bee.
Blue Shield, Sutter Reach New Two-Year Contract Deal
On Thursday, Blue Shield of California and Sutter Health reached an agreement on a new two-year contract, after missing a January deadline to extend their previous deal. The agreement, which was confidential, keeps the health system’s doctors and hospitals in the Blue Shield network through December 2016. Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento Bee.
Lawmaker Unveils Controversial Bill That Would Ban Hospitals From Denying Care to Drunk Patients
On Friday, Sen. Richard Pan unveiled a bill that would impose fines up to $300,000 per incident on hospitals that have intoxicated patients arrested instead of providing treatment. The bill is backed by the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, which donated more than $1 million to Pan’s campaign. However, critics of the bill, including members of the California Nurses Association, say it is politically motivated. San Jose Mercury News.
California Health Care Personnel News Roundup for January 2015
The CalPERS board has re-elected Rob Feckner to an 11th term as board president. Gov. Brown named Jennifer Kent as the director of the state Department of Health Care Services. The California Association of Health Plans has promoted Athena Chapman to director of state programs.
Organ Transplants Saved U.S. Patients Millions of Years of Life from 1987 to 2012, Study Finds
Organ transplants saved 2.2 million in combined life-years for U.S. patients between 1987 and 2012, according to a study published in JAMA Surgery. On average, the researchers said the organ transplants saved more than four years of life per recipient. HealthDay/Philadelphia Inquirer.