Latest California Healthline Stories
Kaiser Mental Health Workers’ Union Approves Strike
The National Union of Healthcare Workers, which represents 2,500 Kaiser Permanente mental health clinicians, recently voted to authorize a strike over long patient wait times and an ongoing contract dispute. Kaiser in September agreed to pay a $4 million fine levied by state regulators over the issue, but mental health workers say the health system’s attempts to address the issue have not worked. KQED’s “State of Health.”
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of November 21, 2014
Shriners Hospital for Children has received a $7.3 million bequest from a Sacramento resident to support the center’s occupational therapy services. The Sonoma Valley Hospital has purchased a disinfecting robot that will target viruses, mold and other bacteria in the facility.
CMS Names Frist Chief Data Officer To Improve Data Collection, Transparency
On Wednesday, CMS announced Niall Brennan will oversee efforts to improve data collection and transparency as the first chief data officer of the department’s new Office of Enterprise Data and Analytics. In the role, Brennan will oversee collecting and disseminating information about CMS programs and initiatives, such as Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program and the Affordable Care Act’s exchanges. Modern Healthcare, The Hill.
Report: States’ Medicaid Spending on the Rise
States’ spending on Medicaid increased in fiscal year 2014 more than any other state budget area, although federal funds provided to states accounted for most of the program’s spending, according to a report released Thursday by the National Association of State Budget Officers. The report found that state Medicaid spending increased by 11.3% in FY 2014, with federal funds for the program increasing by 17.8%, or $41.8 billion, and state funds increasing by 2.7%. Reuters.
Documented Immigrants Face Issues Buying Exchange Coverage
Documented immigrants eligible to purchase coverage through HealthCare.gov are experiencing difficulty uploading the government identification documents proving their legal status. Meanwhile, President Obama is expected to unveil a plan to help some undocumented immigrants avoid deportation, but it would still bar them from obtaining Affordable Care Act benefits. AP/San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Surveys Show Few Employers Plan To Drop Workers’ Health Benefits
Despite predictions from Affordable Care Act critics, two recent surveys show that few employers intend to halt employee health coverage. One survey finds that 1% of employers say they will no longer offer health insurance in 2015, while another finds that 4% of large employers and 16% of smaller employers expect to drop health coverage in the next five years. Washington Post et al.
Calif. Hospitals Reported 6,282 Adverse Events Over Four Years
An NBC Bay Area investigation finds that California hospitals in the last four fiscal years reported 6,282 adverse events to the state Department of Public Health. Hospitals attributed the high number of errors to treating sicker patients and being diligent about tracking and reporting such issues. NBC Bay Area.
Calif. Reports Highest Number of West Nile Virus Deaths Since 2004
Nearly 30 Californians have died after contracting West Nile virus this year, with the most deaths reported in Los Angeles and Orange counties. Meanwhile, a total of 752 cases of the illness have been reported across the state this year. KPCC’s “KPCC News,” Calif. West Nile Virus website.
CIRM, Polish University Announce Partnership To Improve Stem Cell Treatments
On Thursday, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine and the Medical University of Warsaw in Poland announced an international collaboration designed to advance stem cell treatments. The collaborations aims to better enable researchers in California and Poland to obtain joint funding and exchange ideas related to regenerative medicine. Imperial Valley News.
California Revenue Expected To Exceed Budget Estimates by $2B, Excess Funding To Go to Education
On Wednesday, the Legislative Analyst’s Office projected that California will take in $2 billion more in revenue through June than was projected in the current budget plan. The excess revenue will go towards funding for schools and community colleges as required by a voter-approved constitutional amendment. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”