Latest California Healthline Stories
L.A. County Audit Finds Officials Inappropriately Closed Investigations Into Nursing Home Complaints
A recent Los Angeles County audit found that public health officials failed to properly investigate complaints of safety issues and other problems at nursing homes before closing cases. In some cases, inspectors cited problems, but county public health department supervisors later downgraded the findings. Los Angeles Times.
San Francisco Launches Mental Health Help Line
The San Francisco Department of Public Health has announced the launch of a new Mental Health Triage Warm Line to provide support to individuals with mental health issues “before they reach a crisis point.” The line is operated by the not-for-profit Mental Health Association of San Francisco and is funded by a $1.2 million grant under the state Mental Health Services Act. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area BizTalk.”
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of August 29, 2014
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center says that at least 500 patients’ medical data might have been compromised when an employee’s laptop was stolen during a burglary in June. California Assembly member Nancy Skinner has introduced a bill that aims to keep Doctors Medical Center in operation by designating the facility as a public hospital.
Opinion Pieces Debate Merits of Calif. Paid Sick Leave Bill
A Sacramento Bee editorial argues that state lawmakers should pass a bill that would require a minimum of three paid sick days per year for employees who work 30 or more days in a calendar year, noting that seven million California residents currently lack such benefits. However, Maxford Nelsen, a labor policy analyst at the Freedom Foundation in Olympia, and Michael Saltsman, a research director at the Employment Policies Institute, in a separate opinion piece argue that “a clear-eyed look at the experience of the other jurisdictions that have adopted such requirements shows that the evidence isn’t nearly as favorable as proponents [of the bill] suggest.”
Calif. Legislature Sends Bill Limiting Seizure of Deceased Medi-Cal Beneficiaries’ Assets to Brown
The California Legislature has approved a bill that would limit the amount of assets the state can recoup from deceased Medi-Cal beneficiaries’ estates. The measure now heads to Gov. Brown, who has until Sept. 30 to decide whether to sign it. San Jose Mercury News.
Senate Passes Legislation To Restrict Guns for Mentally Ill Individuals
A bill passed by the California Senate would allow law enforcement officers to request temporary restraining orders to prevent individuals who are suspected of having mental health issues or who are potentially violent from purchasing or possessing guns. The bill now heads back to the Assembly for a vote on amendments. AP/Sacramento Bee et al.
CBO Lowers Cost Projections for Medicare, Medicaid
A Congressional Budget Office report estimates that Medicare and Medicaid will cost a combined $89 billion less over the next decade than previously projected. The reductions are the result of lower spending on medical services and labor costs. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules” et al.
Calif. Mental Health Clinics Aim To Offset Psychiatric Bed Shortage
As California faces a shortage of psychiatric beds, mental health urgent care centers are opening to fill the gap and help prevent individuals with mental illnesses from being hospitalized or incarcerated. Four such centers — also known as crisis stabilization units — have opened in Los Angeles County, with plans for more underway. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules.”
Calif. Lawmakers Pass Bill To Set Standards for Surgical Technologists
Yesterday, California lawmakers approved a bill that would only allow health care facilities to hire surgical technologists that meet certain education and certification standards. If facilities are unable to recruit such workers, they would be required to provide continuing education to staff members. Sacramento Business Journal.
Placer County Adopts Laura’s Law Mental Health Program
Placer County supervisors have voted to implement Laura’s Law, which will allow involuntary treatment of individuals with severe mental illnesses. Officials said the county plans to spend about $400,000 annually on the program, which will treat up to 20 patients each year beginning in January 2015. Sacramento Bee.