Latest California Healthline Stories
Editorial: Suicide Prevention Bill ‘Seems Reasonable’
A Sacramento Bee editorial argues that a bill that would require mental health care professionals in the state to undergo suicide prevention training “seems reasonable.” The editorial notes that “[t]here’s a good chance Gov. Brown will veto the bill” because he vetoed a similar measure in 2011, arguing that “respective licensing boards are better suited than the Legislature or the governor to decide these matters.” The editorial concludes, “In most cases, he would be correct. But sometimes, especially when it might prevent death, boards need a push in the right direction.” Sacramento Bee.
Fresno Weighing Future of Safety-Net Coverage Program
This week, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors is considering whether to close a local program created to provide health coverage for low-income and undocumented residents. County officials say the Affordable Care Act’s coverage expansion makes Fresno’s Medically Indigent Services Program unnecessary, but some advocates note that the health reform law does not cover undocumented immigrants, which could leave 6,000 Fresno residents without care. KQED’s “State of Health.”
Majority of California Voters Support ACA, Field Poll Finds
A recent Field Poll finds that 56% of California voters support the Affordable Care Act and 60% believe the state has successfully implemented the law. However, 46% of respondents say the state should do more to limit health insurance rate increases and 47% report paying more for care than they did in 2013. Sacramento Bee.
Santa Barbara Groups Launch Program To Train Caregivers
Santa Barbara area business leaders, educators, foundations and long-term care centers have formed a coalition designed to help train future caregivers. Next year, Santa Barbara City College will launch two dementia training classes that will be paired with immediate practical application at three local residential care centers. HealthyCal.
Record Number of Whooping Cough Cases Reported in San Diego County This Year
A record number of pertussis, or whooping cough, in San Diego County has reached a record high, with more than 1,183 cases reported so far in 2014. The previous record in the county was 1,179 cases in 2010. Times of San Diego.
Insurers, Other Stakeholders Push Back Against Spending on Compounded Drugs
Health insurers, pharmacy benefit managers and other stakeholders are working to decrease spending on compounded drugs, but drug compounders are fighting back. Observers say there is “little evidence” regarding whether the compounded drugs work better than more common alternatives. New York Times.
CMS To Delay Release of Some Physician Payment Records
CMS has announced that it will withhold until June 2015 about one-third of records from its Open Payments System when it launches next month because the information contained inconsistencies. CMS did not give an exact number of records that would be withheld, but the number could be in the millions. ProPublica, The Hill.
Medicare To Pay Physicians To Provide Care Coordination Services
Starting in January 2015, Medicare will begin paying physicians a monthly fee to coordinate the care of beneficiaries with chronic illnesses. Physicians will receive a $42-per-month fee for each patient with at least two chronic conditions who enrolls in a care management plan. New York Times.
Mobile App Aims To Help L.A. Veterans Find Mental Health Support
A new no-cost mobile application created by Los Angeles-based developers aims to help military veterans with mental health conditions and other issues find nearby support from health care providers and other veterans. An official at the Volunteers of America said the group wants to train 100 military retirees to assist the app’s users in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Times.
Calif. Health IT Groups Urge Focus on Health Data Transparency
In separate letters to Sens. Ron Wyden and Chuck Grassley, two California-based health information technology groups encourage the federal government to focus on health data transparency through the sharing of electronic health records. FierceHealthIT, Modern Healthcare.