Latest California Healthline Stories
Study: Inpatient Statin Use for Some Stroke Patients Linked With Higher Survival Rates
Patients hospitalized for stroke caused by brain hemorrhage had better survival outcomes if they took statins as inpatients, compared with those who did not, according to a study published in JAMA Neurology. The study, which was conducted by researchers from Kaiser Permanente Northern California, also found that continuous statin users were more likely to be discharged during a 30-day period, compared with inpatients whose statin use was stopped. Medical News Today.
Brown Signs Bill To Collect Data on Diversity of Health Care Workforce
Under a bill recently signed into law by Gov. Brown, state boards that oversee nurses, physician assistants and other health care providers will be required to report on the ethnicities, languages and other demographics of their workforce. The bill aims to address diversity gaps among medical providers in the state. KPBS.
CSU-Los Angeles Kicks Off Campaign To Improve Students’ Mental Well-Being
On Monday, California State University-Los Angeles President William Covino announced the launch of a new campaign — called Mind Matters — aimed at helping students deal with the mental pressures of college and improve their overall well-being. Covino said the college will hire additional staff, including campus health care professionals and psychological counselors. MyNewsLA.
CalSTRS To Double Investments in ‘Clean Technology’
On Friday, the California State Teachers’ Retirement System announced plans to double its investments in “clean technology” — such as hydro, solar and wind energy assets — from $1.4 billion to $3.7 billion in the next five years. After CalPERS, CalSTRS is the second largest public pension fund in the country, with an $188.3 billion portfolio. Sacramento Business Journal.
UC-Davis Startup Receives $200K Grant for Surgical Blades
Atocera, a UC-Davis startup company, has received a $200,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to bring its silicon surgical blades to the market. The disposable blades are just two atoms wide and are sharper than steel. Sacramento Business Journal.
New Medicaid Enrollees Unsure How To Use Coverage, Study Finds
Research presented to the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program Payment and Access Commission shows that residents who gained Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act might not understand how to use their new health plans. Some states did not provide information on how to use Medicaid coverage, and many new beneficiaries have struggled to find primary care physicians. Modern Healthcare et al.
NCQA: Kaiser’s Private, Medicare Plans Rank Highest in California
Recent rankings by the National Committee for Quality Assurance show that Medicare coverage offered by Kaiser Foundation Health Plan in Southern and Northern California ranked first and second in the U.S., respectively. Meanwhile, the plans also were the highest ranked in the state for private coverage. HealthLeaders Media, Orange County Register.
SHOP Retains Insurers, Adds Coverage Options for 2015
The six insurers currently participating in California’s Small Business Health Options Program will continue to offer coverage through the program next year. Starting in 2015, plans will be offered that include new, non-standard coverage and optional adult dental coverage. Sacramento Business Journal, Orange County Register.
Calif. GOP Votes To Oppose Rate Regulation, Drug Testing Initiatives
California Republicans have voted to oppose ballot initiatives aimed at granting the state authority of health insurance rate increases, raising the cap on pain-and-suffering awards in malpractice lawsuits and implementing random drug testing for physicians. Sacramento Bee/Fresno Bee.
Report: ACA’s MLR, Rate-Review Provisions Saved Consumers $3B
An HHS report shows that the Affordable Care Act’s medical-loss ratio and rate review provisions have saved consumers nearly $3 billion over two years. Meanwhile, HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell says 21 states will receive about $25 million in federal grants to help bolster their rate review programs. The Hill, HHS release.