Latest California Healthline Stories
First 5 Sacramento Makes $5.1M Available for Children’s Health, Dental and School Readiness Services
First 5 Sacramento has announced the availability of funding grants totaling $5.1 million to bolster child health, dental and school readiness services. The grants, which will start July 1, 2015, include $300,000 annually for health outreach, screening and use, $500,000 for dental outreach, screening and use, and $500,000 annually for community-based school readiness services. Sacramento Business Journal.
California Health Care Personnel News Roundup for September 2014
Kenneth Cohen will be the new executive director at the Association of California Healthcare Districts, effective Oct. 20. David Watson was named CEO of the California Integrated Data Exchange, while Mark Savage and Beth Ginzinger were named to the Cal INDEX board of directors.
14 California Patients Diagnosed With Enterovirus
Public health officials have confirmed that 14 individuals in California have been diagnosed with enterovirus D68. Five of the patients were located in San Diego, two were in Alameda County, one was in Long Beach City and there was one patient each in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Solano, and Ventura counties. San Jose Mercury News, Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
Supreme Court Agrees To Hear Idaho Medicaid Reimbursement Case
The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to hear a case that will decide whether private health care providers can sue a state over Medicaid reimbursement. Providers in Idaho originally sued the state in 2009, alleging that it was illegally keeping Medicaid reimbursement rates at levels set in 2006 despite data showing that the cost of providing medical services had increased. Reuters, AP/Washington Times.
CMS: 223 Calif. Hospitals To See Lower Medicare Reimbursements
Hundreds of California hospitals will face lower Medicare reimbursements in fiscal year 2015 because they failed to curb the number of patients who were readmitted within 30 days of discharge. The payment reduction is part of CMS’ Hospital Readmissions Reductions Program, which will affect a total of 2,610 hospitals nationwide. Kaiser Health News et al.
Insurers To Cancel Thousands of Non-ACA Compliant Plans by 2015
Insurers are sending coverage cancellation notices to tens of thousands of consumers whose health insurance plans do not meet minimum coverage requirements under the Affordable Care Act. Insurers cite various reasons for canceling the plans despite an administrative fix allowing the plans to be sold until 2016. Kaiser Health News/Washington Post, Wall Street Journal.
Cancer Risk From Air Pollution Has Dropped by 65% in Southern Calif.
A draft report by the South Coast Air Quality Management District finds that cancer risk related to air pollution in Southern California has fallen by about 65% since 2005. However, researchers say that the cancer risk from air pollutants has been underestimated and actually is 2.7 times higher than previously believed. Los Angeles Times et al.
L.A. City Officials Warn Public About Illegal Rx Drugs
On Thursday, the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office warned local residents about the sale of illegal medications. City officials said they have filed criminal charges in several recent cases involving illegal pharmaceuticals, ranging from antibiotics to pain medications to birth control pills. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Kaiser Permanente Awards $1.4M to 13 Southern Calif. School Districts To Promote Student Health
Kaiser Permanente has awarded $1.4 million to 13 school districts in Southern California to encourage students to make healthy life choices by promoting exercise, providing activity breaks and increasing access to fruits and vegetables. The grants are part of Kaiser’s Thriving School Partnership initiative. Payers & Providers.
Brown Vetoes Bill To Create Standards for Surgical Technologists
Gov. Brown vetoed a bill that aimed to improve patient safety by creating a set of standards for surgical technologists. Such workers currently are the only staff members on an operating team who are not required to meet a minimum level of training or certification. Sacramento Business Journal, Brown veto message.