08/25/2010
A growing number of California parents are choosing not to have their children vaccinated against diseases such as whooping cough or measles, an investigation by the Watchdog Institute of San Diego State University found. Since 1990, waivers signed by parents to exempt their children from immunizations before starting kindergarten have almost quadrupled. Public health officials are concerned that outbreaks of infectious diseases will become more prevalent as fewer children receive vaccines. San Diego Union-Tribune.
08/23/2010
Deaf-advocacy groups are lobbying against a bill, by Assembly member Tony Mendoza, that would direct a 13-member panel to create an informational brochure for parents with a diagnosed deaf child. Advocates argue that the measure promotes cochlear implants and does not incorporate perspectives from the deaf community. The bill has passed the Assembly and is awaiting a vote in the Senate. Sacramento Bee.
08/19/2010
A law requiring state hospitals to pay about $2 billion in extra fees to secure additional Medi-Cal matching funds from the federal government might prove too great a burden on smaller hospitals that already have low amounts of working capital, according to experts. Payers & Providers.
08/19/2010
States have until Sept. 24 to apply for a share of the $16.1 billion in additional Medicaid funding included in a recently approved state aid package. Earlier this week, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius sent a letter reminding state governors of the deadline. CQ HealthBeat.
08/16/2010
First 5 Santa Clara County plans to provide $1.2 million in seed money to finance the planning and construction of a new pediatric dental care center in Sunnyvale. The not-for-profit groups Health Trust and Children's Dental Group will operate the center and repay First 5's investment by offering no-cost dental services to a portion of First 5-referred patients during the next 10 years. San Jose Mercury News.
08/16/2010
Since 2005, obesity rates have fallen for white and Asian children and leveled off for Hispanic children, according to a study of 8.3 million California public school students published Sunday in the journal Pediatrics. The study also determined that black, Hispanic and American Indian girls were two to three times as likely to have a high body mass index as white girls. The researchers said that more interventions are necessary to help curb obesity among children of high-risk populations. Los Angeles Times.
08/12/2010
Eric Mar, a member of the San Francisco board of supervisors, is sponsoring legislation that would prohibit city fast-food chains and other restaurants from including toys in meals that contain excessive amounts of fat, sugar or salt. The proposal would limit toys to meals that meet certain nutrition guidelines, such as menu items that include fruit and vegetables. The California Restaurant Association opposes the legislation. San Francisco Chronicle.
08/11/2010
The First 5 Sacramento Commission has awarded a $2.95 million grant to The Effort, a not-for-profit facility in Sacramento that offers addiction services, and mental health and primary care across the four-county region. The Effort will use the funding to create four pediatric dental care clinics, with the goal of reducing dental disease in children ages five and younger. The clinics could serve up to 11,000 patients by 2015. Sacramento Business Journal.
08/03/2010
A model developed at County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center is helping to create standards for pediatric care in emergency departments nationwide. Los Angeles County has established a network of 42 hospitals with certifications in pediatric care. Torrance Daily Breeze.
08/02/2010
Santa Cruz County officials have opened a regional answering center to handle calls relating to social services programs, such as food banks, job shelters, counseling and housing assistance. Proponents of the 211 system say it will alleviate pressure from 911 emergency dispatchers and allow residents to more easily navigate not-for-profit and public services. Santa Cruz Sentinel.
08/02/2010
In opinion pieces in the Santa Cruz Sentinel, two state Senate candidates -- incumbent Sen. Sam Blakeslee and his opponent John Laird -- discuss ways the state can fix its ongoing budget crisis. Among other recommendations, Blakeslee advocates for reforming the tax code to attract more jobs; for reducing spending on health care for prison inmates; and for improving social welfare programs. Meanwhile, Laird calls for implementing revenue-generating mechanisms into new legislation and for removing the two-thirds legislative requirement on budget approval to avoid cutting programs for children's health care and other social services. Santa Cruz Sentinel.
07/29/2010
The Contra Costa County board of supervisors voted not to make the county's First 5 commission a government department, thwarting a recommendation from a grand jury. The grand jury report concluded that First 5 members could be engaged in conflict-of-interest practices. The board will request a yearly report from the commission as a way to increase oversight. First 5 uses tobacco tax revenue to fund early childhood health and education programs. Contra Costa Times.
07/29/2010
HHS has issued new rules on how health insurers can structure coverage for children's plans. The agency released the updated policy after hearing confusion about how insurers can offer children's insurance policies under the health reform law. The Hill, CQ HealthBeat.
07/28/2010
Last year, cigarette sales in California dropped to their lowest level in the past decade. As a result, the state has seen a decline in revenue from tobacco taxes, which help fund early childhood health and education programs. Sacramento Bee et al.
07/27/2010
More than 70,000 children and adolescents visit the emergency department annually because of problems linked to medical device injuries or malfunctions, according to a recent study published in the journal Pediatrics. The study found that about one-quarter of the problems were linked to infections or eye abrasions involving contact lenses. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.