Latest California Healthline Stories
UC-Santa Cruz Lab Receives $2.28M Grant for Research Into Gene Sequencing
UC-Santa Cruz’s biomolecular engineering lab has received a three-year, $2.28 million grant from the National Human Genome Research Institute. The funding will be used to further study nanopore sequencing — which uses small membrane holes and voltage readings to find DNA sequences — in an effort to increase the quality and reduce the cost of gene sequencing. Santa Cruz Sentinel.
The California Senate has advanced a bill that would ensure access to no-cost contraception services for both men and women in the state. The measure now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California supports the measure, while officials with the California Association of Health Plans say it could drive up premiums for work-based health plans. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
San Diego County Cracks Down on Assisted-Living Facilities
San Diego County has created a new force — which includes 10 county coordinators, two deputy district attorneys and three district attorney investigators — to monitor and respond to poor or criminally negligent care at assisted-living facilities. The county has allocated $2.3 million to the effort, which comes in response to reports that uncovered 27 deaths related to abuse or neglect and dozens of cases of medication errors and other deficiencies at assisted-living facilities in recent years. U-T San Diego.
U.S. Citizens Who Contracted Ebola Given Experimental Treatment Developed in San Diego
An experimental serum to treat Ebola that was developed at a laboratory in San Diego has been given to two U.S. citizens who contracted the virus while in Africa. The treatment, known as ZMapp, is being developed by Mapp Biopharmaceutical. Washington Post, AP/Modern Healthcare.
Assembly Passes Bill Requiring Assisted-Living Facilities To Obtain Liability Insurance
On Monday, Assembly lawmakers advanced a measure that would require assisted-living facilities to obtain liability insurance. The legislation is part of a larger package of bills, called the RCFE Reform Act of 2014, aimed at overhauling residential care facilities for the elderly. U-T San Diego.
Studies Link Slowdown in Health Care Spending Growth to Recession
Two new studies find that the slowdown in health care spending growth can be largely attributed to the recession. Meanwhile, a separate, California-based study finds that health care spending growth might “stubbornly resist” efforts by lawmakers to control it. Washington Post‘s “Wonkblog” et al.
Anthem, Blue Shield Announce Development of Health Data Exchange
In November, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California — two of the largest health insurers in California — will launch a new health information exchange that includes medical records of about nine million state residents. The insurers are investing a total of $80 million to develop the database. Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times.
Assembly Advances Bill To Strengthen Mental Health Coverage Rules
Yesterday, the Assembly unanimously passed a bill that aims to strengthen existing laws that require insurers to cover mental health care and treatments without increasing co-payments or out-of-pocket costs. The bill, which now goes to Gov. Brown for consideration, would grant the state Department of Insurance the authority to issue fines for violations of the coverage rules. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
CMS Issues Final Rules Boosting Payments for Inpatient, Hospice Care
CMS has released two final rules related to the fiscal year 2015 Medicare payment schedule. The rules increase payments for hospice care by 1.4% and boost the operating payments for acute care hospitals by 1.4% and for long-term care hospitals by 1.1%. Modern Healthcare et al.
Study: Calif. ED Closures Linked to Higher Patient Mortality Rates
A study finds that Californians who live near an emergency department that has closed are 5% more likely to die than residents in areas where an ED has not closed. Researchers identified 48 hospitals in California that closed their EDs between 1999 and 2010, affecting 25% of patients in the state admitted to EDs in that time. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules,” Los Angeles Times‘ “Science Now.”