When entering the health care system, all patients deserve freedom from accidental or preventable injuries produced by medical care. But there is strong evidence that the incidence of patient safety events — which the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality defines as preventable errors, injuries, or harm to a patient during the process of health care — varies across patients from different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Patients of color are more likely to experience these events. There is growing sentiment that racism may play a critical role in patient safety events, though this area is understudied. With support from CHCF, researchers from RAND Corporation
and MedStar Health Research Institute conducted a literature review and interviews with subject matter experts to examine the intersection of patient safety and racism, with a focus on clinician leaders’ perspectives. Visit RAND Corporation’s website to read the report, which includes actionable recommendations for health systems, funders, and policymakers.
"Race is in [the electronic record system] but not in [the patient safety reporting system]. This is a perfect example of structural racism and structural inequities in action." - Subject matter expert
A conversation with Payam Parvinchiha, MD, an internal medicine physician who provides care to seniors with chronic conditions.
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While loneliness is not a medical or psychological diagnosis, it is strongly associated with behavioral health, physical maladies, and increased suicide rates.
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These resources help leaders of palliative care programs at public health care systems sustain and expand inpatient and outpatient services for people with serious illnesses.
CHCF is seeking a grantee or grantees to update our Medi-Cal Facts and Figures report, which provides an overview of the Medi-Cal program, including enrollment, benefits, spending, access, and quality. Proposals due September 2.
The report includes the percentage of immigrant families that participated in safety-net programs, reported difficulty in accessing programs, and avoided programs due to green card and other immigration concerns. It highlights the important role of community-based organizations in helping immigrant families enroll.
CalAIM (California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal) is a far-reaching multiyear plan to transform Medi-Cal and make it integrate more seamlessly with other social services. This fact sheet, published last year, is a high-level overview of the plan's details.
Stories That Caught Our Attention
- Big Changes Are Coming for Health Care Costs (New York Times - paywall)
Even in their pared-down form passed by Congress, the changes to the US health care system in the Inflation Reduction Act are momentous, politically and for the many patients struggling with drug costs. Related: California is establishing an Office of Health Care Affordability which will set and enforce targets in growth of health care costs. This CHCF report outlines how eight other states have taken similar action.
- Primary Care Providers Key to Achieving Health Equity (Capitol Weekly)
To ensure high-quality care for all Californians, the state must strengthen primary care in Medi-Cal and ensure all enrollees have trusted primary care providers. Related: Read a first-of-its-kind study on health plans' investments in primary care at CHCF's Primary Care Matters resource center.
- Vacaville Man Is Blind, Homeless and Schizophrenic. Why Can’t California Help Him? (Sacramento Bee - paywall)
Even with the strongest possible advocates, in a state willing to spend billions on this challenge, you can still be left to die on the streets. Why the “simple” solutions touted by politicians over the decades have so far solved nothing at all. Related: This CHCF publication shows how some communities in California are sharing data about people experiencing homelessness.
- Why a Life-Threatening Pregnancy Complication Is on the Rise (New Yorker - paywall)
The rate of preeclampsia had been climbing steadily for years. Then COVID-19 arrived, and the numbers spiked. Related: Getting the COVID-19 vaccine, which is safe and effective in any trimester, is one of the best ways to make a pregnancy safer. In these helpful videos from KFF, Black and Latino/x health professionals answer common questions about the vaccine.
- Community Health Centers’ Big Profits Raise Questions About Federal Oversight (California Healthline)
Federally funded centers are a key part of the government’s health care safety net. A handful have recorded surpluses of 20% or more.
- For Medically Vulnerable Families, Inflation’s Squeeze Is Inescapable (California Healthline)
Unlike dining out less or buying fewer clothes, many patients can't cut back when it comes to paying for medicine, medical supplies, special foods, or gas for long drives to see a specialist.
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