Latest California Healthline Stories
UCLA Study Finds Many Men Get Unnecessary Prostate Cancer Treatment
Nearly half of men over age 66 who are diagnosed with slow-growing prostate cancer and have a life expectancy of less than 10 years receive treatment, such as surgery or radiation, despite national guidelines against such measures, according to a study by UCLA researchers. The National Cancer Institute recommends against aggressive treatment for such individuals and instead calls for “watchful waiting” or “active surveillance.” KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Calif. Supreme Court To Hear Case Over Medical Malpractice Awards
The California Supreme Court has agreed to consider the constitutionality of the state’s cap on pain-and-suffering awards in medical malpractice lawsuits. The case comes after California voters last month rejected a ballot measure that would have raised the awards cap. Modern Healthcare.
More Health Care Providers Turning to Telehealth Tools
Health care providers are increasingly adopting telecommunications tools that allow them to stay connected with their patients. Observers say a shift toward performance-based payment models and accountable care organizations is partly driving the adoption of new technologies. For example, one tool adopted by Geisinger Health Plan uses Bluetooth-enabled scales to monitor the weights of heart failure patients, which officials said led to a 44% reduction in 30-day hospital readmission rates and other improvements. Modern Healthcare.
Potential Ebola Vaccine Headed to Clinical Trials
Preliminary testing has found a possible Ebola vaccine appears safe and can head to clinical trials involving health care workers in West Africa as planned in late 2014 or early 2015, according to a study published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest called the finding an “important milestone” in the effort to fight Ebola, adding that the positive finding “lays the groundwork for the critical clinical trials to follow shortly in Ebola-impacted countries.” Wall Street Journal, The Hill.
Lara Renews Call for Coverage for Undocumented Immigrants
State Sen. Ricardo Lara plans to reintroduce a bill that would expand Medicaid and subsidized coverage to undocumented immigrants and would create an Office of New Americans to assist undocumented immigrants. The move comes after President Obama’s executive action on immigration. AP/Washington Times et al.
Calif. Owes Payments to Agents Who Helped With Exchange Sign-Ups
Covered California Executive Director Peter Lee says commissions to some insurance agents who helped with enrollment during the exchange’s first open enrollment period have been delayed for months. For example, about 2,200 agents are owed a total of $2 million for helping residents enroll in Medicaid through the exchange. Los Angeles Times, AP/KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Poll: ACA Has Not Affected the Rate of Consumers Who Delay Medical Treatment Because of Cost
A Gallup poll released Friday found that about 33% of U.S. residents delayed medical care this year because they felt they could not afford it. Researchers said the findings indicate that the Affordable Care Act “has not immediately affected” whether consumers put off medical treatment. Washington Times.
CEOs Could Withdraw ACA Support Over Wellness Program Lawsuits
Business Roundtable members are scheduled to meet with President Obama tomorrow to discuss legal challenges filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against certain workplace wellness programs. Sources say several major U.S. corporations are considering withdrawing their tacit support of the Affordable Care Act if the challenges are not dropped. Reuters.
CDC Report: U.S. Adult Smoking Rate at Lowest Level Since 1965
CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report shows the percentage of U.S. adults who smoke fell to about 17.8% in 2013 — the lowest rate since CDC started tracking smoking rates in 1965. The report also finds that those who do smoke use fewer cigarettes than in previous years. MedPage Today‘s “The Gupta Guide” et al.
California Health Care Personnel News Roundup for November 2014
Alameda Health System announced that Daniel Boggan will become its interim CEO. The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine appointed Kathy LaPorte to the agency’s governing board. Gov. Brown has made two appointments to the state Department of Health Care Services.