Latest California Healthline Stories
California lawmakers have increasingly accepted campaign donations from the two largest cigarette companies in the U.S. — Altria and R.J. Reynolds, according to a Sacramento Bee review of campaign finance data. Anti-cancer groups note that the contributions came as lawmakers rejected several bills that would have reduced smoking and tobacco-related illnesses. Sacramento Bee.
La Jolla Researchers Find That Cells Killed by Type 1 Diabetes Can Regenerate Naturally
Researchers at the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute in La Jolla have found evidence that insulin-producing cells killed by Type 1 diabetes can regenerate naturally. In a study published in the journal Cell Death and Disease, the researchers say they are working to better understand how the regenerative process takes place so they can create a noninflammatory therapy that produces insulin-making cells, but the research could take years. U-T San Diego.
California Health Care Personnel News Roundup for July 2014
The California Healthcare Institute has elected three new senior executives to serve on its board of directors. NeuroSpine Institute Founder Robert Masson will join the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine’s Scientific and Medical Research Funding Work Group.
53% of U.S. Residents Disapprove of ACA, Poll Finds
Fifty-three percent of U.S. residents in July said they had an unfavorable view of the Affordable Care Act, the highest level since the law was passed in 2010, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll. The percentage of respondents who disapproved of the ACA increased by eight points from Kaiser’s June poll, from 45% to 53%, marking one of the largest swings that the monthly poll has recorded on the law. The Hill, Washington Post‘s “Wonkblog.”
The California Association of Psychiatric Technicians says that two managers at the Stockton-based California Health Care Facility — the nation’s largest medical prison facility — were told to falsify documents saying that they checked-in on patients in the mental health crisis unit five or more times per day, even when they were unable to do so. Steve Bassoff, an attorney for the union, said the group contacted the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation but officials “haven’t responded.” San Luis Obispo Tribune, AP/Houston Chronicle.
Plaintiffs in Virginia ACA Subsidy Case Ask for Supreme Court Review
Four plaintiffs are asking the Supreme Court to hear their case — King v. Burwell — challenging the ability of the federal government to issue subsidies to U.S. residents who purchase coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s federal exchanges. The petition comes after two appeals courts delivered conflicting rulings on the issue. Politico et al.
Covered California 2015 Rates Will Increase an Average of 4.2%
Yesterday, Covered California officials released rates for coverage that will begin in 2015, showing that policyholders in the state will face an average premium increase of 4.2%. The premium changes vary by region, but only one area in the state is expected to see an average decrease in rates. Sacramento Bee et al.
Senate Passes VA Reform Bill, Sends Measure to Obama
Yesterday, the Senate in a 91-3 vote approved a $17 billion compromise measure that would address the long patient wait times at Department of Veterans Affairs health care facilities. The measure now proceeds to the White House, and President Obama is expected to sign it. New York Times et al.
Calif. Pharmacy Board Postpones Decision on Rx Label Translations
During its meeting yesterday, the California State Board of Pharmacy decided to delay a decision on whether it should require pharmacies to translate printed prescription drug labels for patients who speak little or no English. The board sent the issue to its Communication and Public Education Committee for review. Sacramento Bee.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of August 1, 2014
UC-San Francisco Medical Center and John Muir Health will join forces to form an accountable care organization. The Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West and the California Nurses Association have voiced concerns about Prime Healthcare Services’ bid to purchase the Daughters of Charity Health System.