Latest California Healthline Stories
San Francisco Municipal Rail Workers Hold ‘Sickout’ Over Contract, Pension Contributions
On Monday, about two-thirds of the San Francisco municipal rail workers called in “sick” to protest a new contract that calls for them to pick up a 7.5% pension payment currently paid by their employer. The “sickout” caused major delays for commuters and forced 400 of the 600 transportation vehicles normally in service to be grounded. MTA spokesperson Paul Rose said officials were working to prevent a second such event. San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
Several Calif. Cities Rank Among Top 50 in U.S. for Patient Satisfaction
Ten cities in California were ranked among the top 50 for patient satisfaction in a recent report by Vanguard Communications that was based on patients’ Google Plus and Yelp reviews of providers. The San Francisco-Oakland area ranked first in the country. Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Vanguard Communications release.
ACLU of Northern Calif. Sues Alameda County Over Forced Pregnancy Tests for Women Inmates
On Monday, the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California filed a lawsuit against the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office alleging that the county violated the rights of women inmates by forcing them to undergo pregnancy tests when taken into custody. A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office said it has not yet been served with the lawsuit and declined to comment on the allegations. AP/Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Chronicle.
Assembly Considering Bill To Let Patients Opt Out of Insurers’ Mail-Order Prescription Requirements
A bill being considered by the Assembly would give about one million Californians whose health plans require them to order prescriptions through the mail an option to waive that requirement. Health plans say ordering medications by mail saves money, but patient advocates say interacting with pharmacists is helpful for patients, especially those with several prescriptions. Fresno Bee.
Feinstein Calls for Review of Wait Times at Calif. VA Health Centers
In a letter to the top official at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Sen. Dianne Feinstein said the agency should investigate wait times at VA health care facilities in California, where more than 1.8 million veterans reside. Feinstein also called for legislation to change VA’s operating structure. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
More Than 2,600 Whooping Cough Cases Reported in California
More than 2,600 cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, have been reported in California this year, and that number is likely to rise, according to state public health officials. In April, more than 800 cases of the illness were reported in the state — the most cases reported in a single month since the 2010 outbreak. AP/Sacramento Bee et al.
UCSF, Nebraska Medical Center Receive $10M HHS Grant for Dementia Care Program
HHS has awarded a $10 million grant to UC-San Francisco and the University of Nebraska Medical Center to develop a clinical program for dementia care. The program will use “continuous and personalized care” to “crisis-oriented and reactive” methods. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area BizTalk.”
CMS To Begin Covering Some Sex-Change Surgeries
On Friday, an HHS appeals board overturned Medicare’s 33-year ban on gender affirmation surgery, ruling that the policy was “no longer reasonable” because medical professionals have determined the procedure is a safe and effective treatment for gender dysphoria. The decision does not require Medicare to cover the surgery in all cases, but instead ensures that CMS will consider requests on a case-by-case basis. New York Times, Wall Street Journal.
Majority of U.S. Residents Say They Are Unaffected by ACA, Poll Finds
A new poll shows that 60% of U.S. residents say that the Affordable Care Act has had no effect on themselves or family members. The poll also finds that slightly more than half of registered voters want lawmakers to tackle other domestic priorities, such as jobs, instead of continuing to debate the Affordable Care Act. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules” et al.
Senator To Introduce Bill Addressing VA Wait Times
Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chair Bernie Sanders has released details of a new bill that aims to address recent issues with delayed care at Department of Veterans Affairs health centers. The bill would allow more veterans to seek private care outside of the VA system, bolster VA health care staff and give VA more authority to fire low-performing workers. AP/ABC News et al.