02/03/2012
The manufacturer of the Lap-Band device says it has discontinued sales to surgery centers affiliated with the 1-800-GET-THIN marketing campaign. Several of the centers' patients died following weight-loss procedures, prompting state and federal investigations. Los Angeles Times, AP/Sacramento Bee.
02/02/2012
Although California has made strides to reduce overcrowding in prisons, it also must address the cost of holding a growing number of geriatric prisoners, according to a Sacramento Bee editorial that highlights a new Human Rights Watch report. The editorial states, "Dealing with geriatric populations behind bars is costly, especially since prisoners are not eligible for federal health insurance programs for the elderly." It adds, "In addition to normal prison security costs, the state has to deal with the ailments of the old -- mobility impairments, hearing and vision loss, dementia, illnesses that are chronic, disabling and terminal." Sacramento Bee.
02/02/2012
On Tuesday, the California Department of Public Health announced that it has levied an "AA" citation and $100,000 fine -- the maximum penalties under state law -- against Seton Medical Center after an investigation determined that a hospital error led to the death of a patient in the long-term nursing unit. Seton is appealing the citation and fine. Bay Citizen, San Jose Mercury News.
02/01/2012
In today's hearing of a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee, health industry experts are expected to seek renewal of FDA's authority to collect user fees from drugmakers and medical device companies for agency approval processes. CQ Today et al.
02/01/2012
Officials from Kaiser Permanente and the National Union of Healthcare Workers offered conflicting reports on the number of employees who participated in a one-day strike on Tuesday. NUHW held the strike over proposed cuts to health and retirement benefits for mental health and psychiatric care workers. The California Nurses Association-National Nurses United and Stationary Engineers Local 39 union agreed to join the walkout in sympathy. Sacramento Business Journal, San Jose Mercury News.
01/31/2012
Last week, weight-loss surgeons from across the U.S. sent a letter to House members criticizing the surgery centers associated with the 1-800-GET-THIN advertising for Lap-Band surgery. Rep. Henry Waxman and other House members have called for an investigation into the 1-800-GET-THIN weight-loss advertisements and the safety and effectiveness of the Lap-Band device. Los Angeles Times.
01/31/2012
On Monday, Judge John Vineyard issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting 248 Riverside County health care workers from joining a one-day strike planned for Tuesday by the Service Employees International Union Local 721 after the county argued that the workers' jobs were vital. The workers included nurses at the Riverside County Regional Medical Center and jail facilities. However, Vineyard said that 17 other health care workers -- such as clinical lab scientists and operating scrub techs -- could join the walkout. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
01/30/2012
Many California hospitals are working to curb elective deliveries between 37 and 39 weeks to reduce complications in women and infants and trim costs. Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health are among the hospital systems that have launched such initiatives. Contra Costa Times.
01/30/2012
J. Clark Kelso, California's federally appointed receiver for prison health care, said the state needs to make progress on $2 billion worth of facility upgrades and construction before federal oversight can end. AP/Washington Post, KPCC's "KPCC News."
01/27/2012
The California Department of Insurance is examining the business practices of Lap-Band surgery centers affiliated with a state-based marketing campaign, according to health insurance company Aetna. Marketing campaign officials say they are unaware of the investigation. Los Angeles Times.
01/25/2012
Some officials are raising concerns that the disbanding of the California Board of Registered Nursing could negatively affect the public. State officials say that the board's investigative work is continuing and that the public should not be concerned. California Watch.
01/24/2012
A Sacramento Bee editorial notes that Gov. Brown's statewide prison system realignment initiative "already is having a positive impact" on the system as the inmate population "has dropped by 11,000 in just six months." Meanwhile, a San Jose Mercury News editorial argues that "[i]t's hard to celebrate California's progress in meeting constitutional health care standards for prison inmates when it's spending the outrageous sum of $10,000 per inmate each year to do it." Sacramento Bee, San Jose Mercury News.
01/24/2012
California Rep. Henry Waxman and two other House members are calling on the House Energy and Commerce Committee to investigate the safety and effectiveness of the Lap-Band weight-loss procedure and its affiliated marketing campaigns. Los Angeles Times et al.
01/24/2012
Members of the California Nurses Association joined a three-day labor strike that began on Monday in Fresno County. The strike was planned by the 4,100-member Service Employees International Union over a new contract that includes pay cuts. CNA officials said county nurses face similar pay cuts of at least 10%. Meanwhile, Fresno County officials said they have taken steps to prevent possible disruptions to public health and social services during the strike. Fresno Business Journal, Fresno Bee.
01/24/2012
The National Union of Healthcare Workers is planning a Jan. 31 walkout at Kaiser Permanente hospitals in protest of labor issues. The California Nurses Association and Stationary Engineers Local 39 said that they will join in solidarity. Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Business Journal.