Latest California Healthline Stories
CDC: Hundreds of Thousands of Deaths Each Year Are Preventable
A new report from CDC finds that 895,000 U.S. residents die annually from the five leading causes of death. Of those deaths, 20% to 40% could be avoided with better preventive care, according to CDC. Los Angeles Times, United Press International.
Medi-Cal Application Backlog Grows to 900K, System Glitches Remain
The state’s backlog of Medicaid applications increased by 100,000 during April, reaching a total of 900,000 pending applications. State officials say the backlog was caused by problems with a system that is supposed to link county and state computers to confirm applicants’ eligibility for the program. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
On Thursday, the California Senate voted 34-1 to approve a bill that would prohibit farmers from using antibiotics in animals that were not prescribed by a veterinarian for medical purposes. The bill, which aims to combat an increase in antibiotic-resistant diseases among humans, also would require drug manufacturers to update labels for animal antibiotics to state that the drugs require a prescription. Reuters, Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal.”
Dental Coverage for Adult Medi-Cal Beneficiaries Restored
On Thursday, Medi-Cal dental coverage for adults was restored. The state in 2009 eliminated dental coverage for adult Medi-Cal beneficiaries to help address the state’s budget deficit. However, the state Legislature last year voted to restore coverage for some dental services for adult beneficiaries, effective May 1. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Bill To Boost Oversight of Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly Approved by State Senate
On Thursday, the California Senate voted 36-0 to approve a bill that would give the Department of Social Services the power to prohibit new admissions to assisted-living facilities that fail to correct serious health and safety violations. The bill also would allow regulators to block admissions if facilities fail to pay fines. The bill now goes to the Assembly for consideration. AP/Sacramento Bee.
Comprehensive Coachella Valley Health Survey Kicks Off
On Wednesday, a comprehensive health survey of eastern Coachella Valley was launched by the California Institute for Rural Studies, Loma Linda University and the California Endowment. For the survey, a total of 350 households in Coachella, Mecca, North Shore, Oasis and Thermal will be surveyed in an effort to more accurately identify health issues that the communities faces. Desert Sun.
90% of U.S. Workforce Will Shift to Exchange Plans by 2020, S&P Predicts
About 90% of the workforce at Standard & Poor’s 500 companies will be shifted out of job-based health coverage by 2020, which could be the start of a trend among smaller companies, according to a report released yesterday by S&P Capital IQ. Researchers estimated that if the largest U.S. companies shifted their employees from employer-sponsored insurance plans to health plans offered through the Affordable Care Act’s federal or state exchanges, such companies could save a total of about $700 billion between 2016 and 2025. McClatchy/Sacramento Bee, New York Times‘ “The Upshot.”
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of May 2, 2014
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center officials confirmed that the hospital system has cut 139 jobs over the past few months. Michael Drobot — former owner of Pacific Hospital in Long Beach, now called College Medical Center — pleaded guilty to federal charges for conspiracy and for paying kickbacks to physicians.
Burwell Could Have Smooth Confirmation Hearings for HHS Secretary
Several GOP senators have signaled their support for Sylvia Mathews Burwell — President Obama’s nominee for HHS secretary — ahead of upcoming confirmation hearings. However, five House Republicans from Louisiana are seeking a hold on Burwell’s nomination until the Obama administration drops the individual mandate from the Affordable Care Act. Politico, The Hill.
Study: Many Korean-American Women in Calif. Forgo Mammograms
A UCLA Center for Health Policy Research study finds that only about 52% of Korean-American women in California obtain mammograms every two years. Experts say the low rate of screening could be due in part to the demographic’s high rate of uninsured individuals. Payers & Providers.