Latest California Healthline Stories
UC-Merced Researchers To Study Effects of Valley Fever
Researchers at UC-Merced’s Health Sciences Research Institute have received approval and funding to conduct two research projects that aim to better understand Valley fever. For the study, researchers will examine the blood of 30 pediatric patients at Children’s Hospital Central California in Madera who have been diagnosed with Valley fever to see how the immune system responds to the disease. Sacramento Bee.
Opponents File Lawsuit Over a Berkeley November Ballot Measure Targeting Sugary Beverages
On Wednesday, opponents to a proposed one-cent-per-ounce tax on the distribution of sugary drinks in Berkeley filed a lawsuit in Alameda County Superior Court claiming that the measure’s language is “false, misleading and illegally biased.” The proposal is scheduled to appear on the November ballot as Measure D. Contra Costa Times.
The total number of West Nile-related deaths in California has risen to six, after officials confirmed the deaths of two women from Sutter County. Officials in California counties and researchers are deploying various methods to identify and curb the spread of the virus, such as using chickens to locate vulnerable areas and getting warrants to place mosquito-eating fish in neglected pools. KFBK News et al.
Medicaid Beneficiaries Do Not Overuse ED, Report Finds
Although Medicaid beneficiaries use emergency departments more frequently than individuals with other coverage, those visits typically are justified, according to a recent report by the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program Payment and Advisory Commission. The MACPAC report found that the “majority of ED visits by non-elderly Medicaid patients are for urgent symptoms and serious medical problems that require prompt medical attention.” FierceHealthFinance.
Calif. Legislature Shelves Bill To Increase Regulations on the Medical Marijuana Industry
On Thursday, California lawmakers put on hold a bill that would have imposed stricter rules on physicians who prescribe medical marijuana and required medical marijuana retailers to obtain state licenses at a cost of up to $8,000 each. The move came after legislative analysts said it was not clear whether the licensing fees would be enough to pay for a Bureau of Medical marijuana Regulation, which would cost $20 million to set up. Los Angeles Times.
CMS Says Physician Payment Website Is Back Online
CMS says the Open Payments System is back online for physicians and teaching hospitals to review and contest payment data before the database goes public this fall. The database had been taken offline earlier this month after media reports revealed mistakes in the posted information. Wall Street Journal‘s “Pharmalot,” Modern Healthcare.
State Audit Ordered Over Access in Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans
A California legislative committee has ordered a state audit to examine whether individuals enrolled in California’s Medicaid managed care plans have appropriate access to health care providers. The audit — requested by state Sen. Ricardo Lara — is expected to cost $287,000. Los Angeles Times, HealthyCal.
Covered Calif. Asks Some Enrollees To Verify Lawful Presence in U.S.
Following a similar move by the federal government, Covered California officials will ask some enrollees to submit verification of their lawful presence in the U.S. Those who do not respond to the request will risk losing their health coverage and having to pay back federal health insurance subsidies. KQED’s “State of Health.”
Blood Test Charges Vary Widely Among Calif. Hospitals, Study Finds
A new study finds that California hospital charges for 10 common blood tests can differ by up to thousands of dollars, and researchers say there is no rational explanation for the variation. The California Hospital Association dismissed the study, arguing that most patients pay discounted rates negotiated by insurers. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules” et al.
Senate Panel Advances Mandatory Paid Time Off Bill
On Wednesday, Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously voted to advance a bill that would allow employees in California to earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Under the bill, employers would be able to limit the use of accrued paid leave to three days per year. U-T San Diego.