Latest California Healthline Stories
Berkeley Officials Pursuing Measure To Place Cancer Warnings on Mobile Phones
Berkeley officials are drafting a measure that would require cell phone retailers to put labels on their products’ packaging warning consumers that the devices could release cancer-causing radiation. Officials said they are drafting the ordinance’s language in a way that complies with the First Amendment, after a similar effort in San Francisco was defeated in federal court on the grounds that it violated manufacturers’ constitutional rights. If the Berkeley ordinance is approved, the city would become the first city in the nation to have such a requirement. San Francisco Chronicle.
Orange County Reports First Case of West Nile Virus
The Orange County Health Care Agency has reported the first case of West Nile Virus in the area this year. The case involves a Santa Ana man who was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with the disease in late June. Orange County Register.
L.A. County Adopts Laura’s Law Mental Health Program
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to adopt Laura’s Law, which will allow involuntary treatment of individuals with severe mental illnesses. Los Angeles is the fifth county in the state to fully approve the measure, and the fourth California county to do so this year. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now,” Wall Street Journal.
New CDC Survey Assesses LGBT Health Needs
CDC’s most recent National Health Interview Survey, released Tuesday, is the first major government survey to ask respondents about their sexual orientation. The survey found that 69% of gay and lesbian adults had private insurance, compared with 65% of heterosexual and 57% of bisexual individuals. Washington Post, Washington Times.
San Francisco Officials Address Emergency System Issues Amid Increasing 911 Calls
San Francisco officials are working to address understaffing and other problems with ambulances, emergency departments and dispatch centers in the area. The issues come after a recent city report found a nearly 22% increase in 911 calls between 2007 and 2013. San Francisco Chronicle.
California Hospitals Make U.S. News’ ‘Best Hospitals’ List
Several hospitals in California ranked among the top 10 in the U.S. for at least one specialty in U.S. News and World Report‘s recently released “Best Hospitals 2014-2015” list. Three hospitals in the state — UCLA Medical Center, UC-San Francisco Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center — ranked highly in six or more categories. U-T San Diego et al.
HHS Launches $100M Funding Initiative for State Medicaid Programs
HHS has announced a new $100M funding initiative to help states reform their Medicaid payment models and improve the quality of care. The effort — called the Innovation Accelerator Program — stems in part from National Governors Association recommendations. The Hill, CQ HealthBeat.
Navigators Helped 10.6M Individuals With ACA Coverage Options
A new survey finds that about 10.6 million people used one of the more than 4,400 consumer assistance programs created under the Affordable Care Act to search for health coverage options and apply for plans during the first open enrollment period. The report suggests that the programs will continue to play key roles in the upcoming open enrollment period. New York Times et al.
CalPERS, CalSTRS Report Investments Gains of More Than 18%
On Monday, CalPERS officials said that the fund has earned 18.4% on its investments in the fiscal year that ended on June 30, while CalSTRS reported 18.7% investment earnings in the same period. CalPERS now is 76% funded and CalSTRS is 67% funded. Sacramento Bee.
Number of Medi-Cal Providers Down by 25% in Spring 2014
Although millions of residents enrolled in California’s Medicaid program between spring 2013 and spring 2014, the number of doctors who participate in the program decreased by about 25%. The state Department of Health Care Services said the decrease should not reduce beneficiaries’ access to care. HealthyCal.