Latest California Healthline Stories
Smaller Calif. Workforce Could Affect Health Care Funding
The labor force participation rate in California dipped below the national average in October, meaning there are fewer working-age Californians working or actively seeking employment in the state. The decline could have a negative effect on several public programs, such as Medicare, that are funded in part by tax revenue. Los Angeles Times.
Orange County Residents Face Year-Long Wait Times for Social Security Disability Insurance
Orange County residents applying for Social Security Disability Insurance could have to wait at least eight months to get a hearing and then another two months for a decision on their claim. Officials say the Social Security Administration has taken several steps to reduce the backlog, such as hiring more judges and support staff, creating national hearing centers and using video conferencing technology to conduct hearings remotely. Orange County Register.
FDA Panel Advises More Research Before Lifting Ban on Blood Donations From Men Who Have Sex With Men
An FDA blood safety advisory panel has said that lifting a decades-old ban on blood donations from men who have sex with men could be risky. The FDA advisory panel said more research should be conducted before FDA revises the policy. The Hill.
CDC Says Flu Season Could Be Worse This Year
CDC officials are warning that this year’s influenza season could result in more fatalities than other years. The dominant flu strain circulating this year, H3N2, tends to lead to a greater number of hospitalizations and fatalities than other strains, according to CDC Director Tom Frieden. New York Times.
Report Ranks California, Other States in Mental Health Care
A new report by Mental Health America finds a disparity between the rate of mental health issues and access to treatment. In California, there are about 253,000 children and 937,000 adults who need mental health services but do not receive such treatment. Washington Post‘s “To Your Health,” Mental Health America report.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of December 5, 2014
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors approved two measures to provide financial assistance to Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo. ValleyCare Health System won 97% approval from community members for its merger with Stanford Health Care.
HHS: Shop for New Exchange Plans To Avoid Cost Increases
Obama administration officials are urging U.S. residents to shop for new plans through the federal exchange — rather than be automatically re-enrolled in their current plans — to avoid premium increases or reductions in subsidies. HealthCare.gov CEO Kevin Counihan says more than 70% of existing ACA enrollees could pay lower premiums by shopping for new exchange coverage. New York Times et al.
CMS Issues Final Rule Targeting Medicare Fraud, Abuse
CMS has issued a final rule that will allow the agency to deny providers from billing Medicare for several reasons, including for a pattern of inappropriate billing. The rule also will standardize Medicare billing privileges across different types of providers, which is estimated to save $327 million per year. The Hill et al.
Calif. Reports Largest Whooping Cough Outbreak in 70 Years
A CDC report finds that 9,935 cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, have been reported in California this year, marking the largest number of cases in the state in nearly 70 years. The incidence of whooping cough was highest among infants. MedPage Today‘s “The Gupta Guide” et al.
CIRM, Israel Announce Partnership To Improve Stem Cell Research, Share Knowledge
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Israel’s Industry Center for R&D have announced a cooperative agreement that aims to improve research into stem cell therapies and regenerative medicine. The agreement will allow researchers from California and Israel to apply for joint research funding and share information. JWeekly.