Latest California Healthline Stories
Survey: California Hispanics Concerned About Long-Term Care
An Associated Press/NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey finds that 55% of Hispanic California residents are concerned about their ability to pay for long-term care, compared with 37% of white residents. It also finds that California Hispanics are less likely than white residents to have discussed long-term care plans with their loved ones. AP/U-T San Diego.
Calif. Democrats Want To Boost Mental Health Funds for Prisons, Jails
As California’s budget deadline looms, Democrats in the Legislature are advocating for increased mental health funding for the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The state and several counties face lawsuits related to the treatment of inmates with mental illnesses. AP/Sacramento Bee.
U.S. News Ranks Calif. Children’s Hospitals Among Best in Country
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles was the only California hospital to make U.S. News and World Report‘s list of the top 10 children’s hospitals in the country. Six other California facilities ranked in the top 50 for at least one of 10 pediatric specialties. U.S. News & World Report.
Long Beach To Move to New Ambulance Staffing Model
On Tuesday, the Long Beach City Council was at an impasse regarding a motion to delay the implementation of a new ambulance staffing model that is expected to save $1.4 million. The “rapid medic deployment” model, which is expected to take effect July 10, will require all ambulances be staffed by a firefighter paramedic and an emergency medical technician. Currently, Long Beach advanced life support ambulances are staffed with two paramedics, while basic life support ambulances are staffed with two emergency medical technicians. Orange County Register.
L.A. County Board Members Left in the Dark on Federal Issues With Mentally Ill Inmates
On Tuesday, some members of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors said they were unaware of ongoing issues regarding the treatment of inmates with mental illnesses until they received a letter in September 2013 announcing a federal investigation. Although it remains unclear where the communication breakdown began, country board members have received closed-door briefings on the investigation since receiving the letter. Los Angeles Times.
Berkeley Mulling Soda Tax Measure for November Ballot
The Berkeley City Council on July 1 will vote on whether to include a measure on the November ballot to implement a tax on sugary drinks. Revenue collected through the tax could be funneled into the city’s general fund or into local health programs. Reuters.
Lifetime Costs of Autism Can Reach $2.4M, Study Says
The cost of supporting people with autism spectrum disorders over the course of their lifetimes can reach up to $2.4 million in the U.S., according to a study published in JAMA Pediatrics. The main cost drivers among children with autism spectrum disorders were special education and lost productivity for parents, while residential care and their own lost productivity were the main drivers among adults. USA Today, Reuters.
Calif. Prisons Working To Help Parolees Enroll in Medi-Cal
California prisons are working to help inmates register for Medi-Cal and other health care plans before they are released from prison. Most of the nearly 40,000 individuals paroled each year are eligible for low-cost or no-cost health care plans. KQED’s “California Report.”
VA Audit: Wait Times Exceed Three Months for More Than 57K Vets
A federal audit of Veterans Affairs health centers finds that more than 57,000 veterans have been waiting for medical appointments for longer than three months. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he will soon schedule a vote on a bipartisan bill aimed at addressing the VA issues. New York Times et al.
U.S. Supreme Court Declines To Hear Calif. Disabled Inmate Case
Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court denied California’s appeal of a court order that requires the state to monitor inmates with disabilities and to ensure they receive appropriate accommodations from county jails. State officials had argued that the order violates states’ right to delegate authority to local governments. Los Angeles Times‘ “Nation Now” et al.