Latest California Healthline Stories
UC-Davis Initiative Aims To Improve Wellness of Latino Farmworkers
A new initiative led by researchers at UC-Davis aims to improve the health and wellness of immigrant Latino farmworkers over five years by bringing educational programs and exercise classes to worksites. The program aims to improve and evaluate health outcomes, as well as produce economic benefits. Salinas Californian, UC-Davis release.
Workers’ Comp Cost Growth Curbed Before Reforms, Study Finds
A study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute finds that medical costs for injured workers in California decreased in the years before the state overhauled its workers’ compensation program. In 2010 and 2011, medical payments per claim grew by about 3%, down from 8% annual growth since 2005. Insurance Journal, Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Nurses Rally in State Capital To Support Hospital Charity Care, Workplace Violence Bills
On Monday, hundreds of registered nurses rallied in Sacramento to show their support for several bills being considered in the state Legislature, including a measure that would regulate not-for-profit hospitals’ charity care. The nurses also expressed support for a bill to implement workplace violence prevention programs at hospitals. Sacramento Business Journal.
Brown’s Revised Budget Comes Amid High Health Care Spending
Gov. Brown has released his revised fiscal year 2014-2015 budget proposal, as the state faces higher-than-expected health care spending and a “pent-up demand” for social services, including home care. The state Legislature is required to advance a budget plan by June 15. Los Angeles Times et al.
Sacramento Official Urges County Residents To Get Whooping Cough Vaccine
Sacramento County Public Health Officer Olivia Kasirye is warning county residents who come into contact with babies or young children to get the whooping cough vaccine. So far, Sacramento County has seen a total of 69 confirmed cases in 2014, compared with 59 for all of 2013, Kasirye said. Sacramento Bee‘s “Healthy Choices.”
L.A. County Officials Raise Alert About MERS
After CDC officials on Monday confirmed the second case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome — or MERS — in the U.S., the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health warned local hospitals and infectious disease experts to be alert for symptoms of the disease. Such symptoms include cough, fever and shortness of breath. Officials said providers should make particular note of patients who have recently traveled to the Arabian Peninsula. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Whooping Cough on the Rise in Napa County, Officials Say
Napa County officials say that 17 cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, have been reported in the area so far this year. Nine of those cases were reported in the past two weeks, and 14 of the cases involve middle and high school students. Napa Valley Register
Study: Children Moved From CHIP to Exchange Received Fewer Benefits, More Costly Care
Families of children in Arizona who were required to switch out of the Children’s Health Insurance Program and into plans offered through the federal health insurance exchange likely are paying more and receiving less-generous benefits, according to study from the Georgetown University Center on Children and Families. Arizona is the only state to have closed down its CHIP, but the situation could soon affect families in other states if Congress decides not to extend funding for CHIP when it expires in October 2015. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules.”
LAO: California Should Prioritize CalPERS, CalSTRS Debt Liabilities
A report by the state Legislative Analyst’s Office finds that California is not addressing a large portion of its $340 billion in long-term debt obligations. LAO recommends prioritizing the $73.7 billion and $64.6 billion in liabilities related to CalSTRS — California’s pension fund for teachers — and CalPERS, respectively. The Bond Buyer.
Insurance Agents Played Major Role in Exchange Enrollment
New data find that insurance agents were responsible for enrolling nearly 40% of consumers who obtained health coverage through California’s health insurance exchange. Meanwhile, new enrollment statistics find that consumers who qualified for federal tax subsidies most often selected silver plans. Los Angeles Times et al.