Health Care Spending Draws Scrutiny in Contra Costa, Kern Counties
Contra Costa County
On Tuesday, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a plan to close a $50 million budget deficit in part by eliminating nonemergency medical services for adult undocumented immigrants, the Contra Costa Times reports.
In addition, supervisors requested a study to assess the sustainability of the county's health services.
Since May 2008, the board has slashed more than $150 million from the general fund and other accounts (Gafni, Contra Costa Times, 3/31).
Kern County
Kern County officials are attributing a projected budget deficit of $584,791 at the end of fiscal year 2008-2009 to fluctuations in cash flow at the county-owned Kern Medical Center, the Bakersfield Californian reports.
County Budget Director Gloria Dominguez said the deficit is not yet large enough to trigger further cuts in county spending (Burger, Bakersfield Californian [1], 3/31).
In addition, the Kern County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday began a discussion of compensation practices for physicians at KMC. Proposed changes focus on the county's payment of professional fees (Burger, Bakersfield Californian [2], 3/31). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.