Latest California Healthline Stories
The Perils, Promise of Retail Clinics in California
Medical clinics in drugstores and large retail emporiums have spread slowly but surely in California, but impending changes from national health care reform could change the nascent retail clinic industry’s growth pattern. Will it get a boost, or will it slow down even further?
Plan To Shift State-County Services Still a Work in Progress
Two relatively low-budget health care programs are included in the Democrats’ proposal to restructure California government by moving some social services programs from state to county control. More could be added as stakeholders and the Legislature weigh in.
Progress Made on Stimulus Package Provisions, Funding
Over the last two months, the federal government has made significant progress in implementing various provisions of the 2009 economic stimulus package, including releasing the much anticipated final rule on “meaningful use.”
Maintenance of Effort Looms Over Healthy Families, Budget
Federal regulators’ concerns about increased Healthy Families premiums illustrate budget implications of maintenance of effort provisions in the new federal health reform law.
New Study Linking End-of-Life Directives With Hospitalization Has Implications for California
Kenneth Brummel-Smith of Florida State University College of Medicine, Judy Citko of the Coalition for Compassionate Care of California and Jeffrey Yee of Woodland Healthcare spoke with California Healthline about the study.
UC-Irvine Center Shines Spotlight on Elder Abuse
The pioneering Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse and Neglect at UC-Irvine is helping to propel a once-invisible population into view, an effort aided by the inclusion of the Elder Justice Act in the federal health care reform law.
Medical Home Model Gains Traction on North Coast
The idea of a “medical home” to make primary care work better for patients, physicians and insurers is gaining a foothold on the North Coast, but many say California as a whole is behind the curve nationally.
California Dental Care Crisis Could Get Worse With Budget
California has the second-lowest ranking for children’s oral health care in the nation, according to the National Survey of Children’s Health. Pre-schoolers have rotten teeth, oral infections and metal caps — and if proposed budget cuts go through, it could get worse.
California’s New Health Information Exchange Hires CEO
Carladenise Edwards, former health IT coordinator for the state of Georgia and health IT adviser in Florida, is the new president and CEO of Cal eConnect and will manage California’s $38.8 million federal grant for health information exchange.
San Diego Biotech Gets Boost From Reform Tax Credit
San Diego, a national hub for biotechnology, has seen a flurry of activity as companies prepare to apply for a new tax credit included the health care reform package that will provide $1 billion to small biotech and life sciences companies.