Latest California Healthline Stories
CIRM Accepting Grant Apps Under Streamlined System
On Friday, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine began accepting grant applications under its revamped system. The agency has streamlined its application process to decrease application review times from about 22 months to four months. U-T San Diego.
New Rules Target Not-for-Profit Hospitals’ Policies, Practices
The Department of Treasury and IRS have issued new rules for not-for-profit hospitals that are seeking or currently have tax-exempt status. Among other things, the new rules require such hospitals to create and make publicly available a written policy about which patients are eligible for financial assistance and ways they can apply. New York Times.
ACA Could Alter 2014 Tax Returns; White House Boosts ACA Outreach
Experts say that U.S. residents who purchased health coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s exchanges could see changes in their tax returns this year in part because of changes in their annual incomes. Meanwhile, the Obama administration has teamed up with women’s groups and football players to help boost enrollment. Los Angeles Times, The Hill.
Calif., Three Other States Receive ‘A’ for Reproductive Health Care
A new report card from the Population Institute gives California an “A” for its reproductive health care services and rights. The report card notes that the state has no laws restricting access to abortion services and that just 5% of California women live in a county without an abortion provider. Cosmopolitan et al.
No Money in Brown’s Budget for Health Care for Undocumented
Gov. Brown’s new budget plan does not include funding to provide health coverage to undocumented immigrants in the state, including those who might qualify for coverage under recent executive actions by President Obama. Advocates say they will continue to push for such coverage, and others say the proposal is fiscally responsible. KQED’s “State of Health” et al.
California Confirms First Non-Elderly Flu-Related Death
On Friday, the California Department of Public Health announced the state’s first influenza-related death of a person under the age of 65 for the 2014-2015 flu season. The department said the individual was an adult resident of Southern California. According to CDC, the flu is considered “regional” in California, meaning more than two but less than half of the state’s regions have had recent laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
Kaiser Mental Health Workers Begin Weeklong Strike Today
Today, about 2,600 Kaiser Permanente mental health clinicians are launching a weeklong strike at more than 35 Kaiser facilities across California. National Union of Healthcare Workers members allege that the health system has failed to adequately staff its behavioral health division. KQED’s “State of Health” et al.
Kaiser Permanente Awards $1M Grant To Reduce Obesity in South Sacramento
The Health Education Council has received a $1 million grant from Kaiser Permanente to help combat obesity in south Sacramento. The grant — which is part of a two-year, $4 million investment in healthy eating and active living programs across Northern California — will allow the not-for-profit to focus on ways to motivate and help individuals adopt healthy behaviors. Sacramento Business Journal.
Central Valley Prisons Spend $5M To Test About 90K Inmates for Valley Fever
California is spending more than $5 million to test about 90,000 prison inmates for Valley Fever in an effort to reduce the number of infections this year. The illness — which is caused by a fungus the grows in the soil in the Central Valley and other dry locations — infected 197 inmates in 2013, including four cases that contributed to inmates’ deaths, and 21 cases through June 2014, with no reported deaths. AP/KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Cancer Groups Call for Tighter E-Cigarette Regulations
The American Association for Cancer Research and the American Society of Clinical Oncology on Thursday issued recommendations urging more regulation of electronic cigarettes. In a release, the groups noted that e-cigarettes are not yet regulated by FDA and called on the agency to regulate all types of such products that meet FDA’s standard definition of tobacco products. HealthDay/Philadelphia Inquirer.