In Brief: Numbers Of Uninsured Dropped; CDPH Warns On Measles

Percentage Of Uninsured Drops

The number of Americans who lacked health insurance dropped dramatically between 2013 and 2014, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The nation’s uninsured rate dropped from 13.3% in 2013 to 10.4% last year after the state’s health insurance exchanges become operative and Medicaid eligibility was expanded in a majority of states.

In California, the number of uninsured dropped from 6.5 million to 4.8 million, a drop from a 17.2% uninsured rate to 12.4%.

There was some variance in decreases throughout California. The San Diego area saw the uninsured rate drop from 16.3% to 12.3%. In San Francisco, which already had its own insurance program in place, the rate of uninsureds, dropped from 11% to 7.8%. In the Riverside metropolitan area, where the uninsured rate of 19.4% in 2013 was among the highest for an urban region in the state, it dropped to 14.6%.  

CDPH Warns Providers To Remain Vigilant About Measles

The California Department of Public Health has warned providers that they should be vigilant for measles, particularly when treating patients who are exhibiting rashes and fever.

The state was hit hard by an outbreak of measles last year, much of it traced to visitors to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. Risk for the disease has risen as more parents have avoided vaccinating their children due to concerns about a risk that the shots could make their kids autistic.

“We are reminding healthcare providers to keep measles in mind when they see patients with symptoms of the disease,” said CDPH Director Karen Smith, M.D.  “Although the measles outbreak associated with Disneyland was over in April, it is important at the start of the new academic year to consider measles in patients who present signs of fever and rash, especially if they have had international travel in the prior three weeks.”

UCSF Benioff, Community Medical Centers Enter Into Pact

UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in San Francisco has entered into an agreement with Community Medical Centers to provide more pediatric services to the San Joaquin Valley.

UCSF will take the lead in developing a pediatric intensive care unit at Community’s campus in Fresno, assist in expanding the existing inpatient pediatric unit and help expand outpatient specialty services offered in the community. Community treats about 65,000 pediatric cases annually.

“I’m excited about the deeper relationship with UCSF, which achieves our immediate goal of increasing access to pediatric specialists and other high-quality pediatric services in Fresno and surrounding areas,” said Craig Wagoner, Community Medical Center’s chief executive officer.  “Clearly, this demonstrates UCSF’s commitment to the San Joaquin Valley, and it’s a key step toward more efficiently managing the health of entire families.”