Latest California Healthline Stories
House Committees Release Updated Draft Bill To Repeal, Replace SGR
GOP leaders of the House Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means committees have released another version of draft legislation that would permanently repeal and replace the sustainable growth rate formula. The updated draft bill does not include details about funding, but it “removes the gimmicks that have plagued the SGR system,” according to lawmakers. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” Modern Healthcare.
Alameda County OKs $2.7B Budget, Clears $80M Deficit
Last week, Alameda County supervisors unanimously approved a $2.7 billion budget, closing an $80 million deficit. County Administrator Susan Muranishi said the county must continue to monitor how the state handles its budget, including a plan by Gov. Brown for counties to use $1.5 billion in projected savings from the Medi-Cal expansion to fund safety-net programs. Oakland Tribune/Contra Costa Times.
Editorial: Payment Cuts Would Hurt Medi-Cal Expansion
A Los Angeles Times editorial argues that the expansion of Medi-Cal could be undermined if the state implements a 10% cut in payments to health care providers this year. It notes, “[T]he state is flirting with disaster in Medi-Cal,” adding, “There may not be enough doctors, hospitals and clinics to treat the more than 7.5 million people already in the program if the state” moves forward with the payment cut. It concludes, “Lawmakers and the Brown administration have to stop pretending that cutting provider rates are a painless shortcut to Medi-Cal savings.” Los Angeles Times.
Brown Seeks Stay of Federal Court Order To Release 9,600 Prisoners
Gov. Brown’s administration has filed a request to delay the federal court-ordered release of nearly 10,000 state prisoners until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the case, arguing that the state would be “irreparably harmed” by the order. Prisoner advocates say the request is a “stalling tactic.” Los Angeles Times, AP/U-T San Diego.
Jones Wants Exchange Plans To Include Pediatric Dental Coverage
State Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones is asking the Covered California board to reconsider its decision to prevent health plans offered through the insurance exchange from including pediatric dental care coverage. Jones says the decision could increase consumers’ costs. KPCC’s “Represent!”
UC-Irvine Receives $2.27M To Further Diabetes Research
Last week, UC-Irvine announced that two of its research projects studying treatment for type 1 diabetes have received a pair of grants totaling $2.27 million. The grants were awarded by JDRF, formerly known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Orange County Register.
California Health Care Personnel News Update for June 2013
Gov. Brown has announced that state Department of Finance Director Ana Matosantos will leave the position in September. Meanwhile, Brown has appointed Khatera Aslami-Tamplen and John Buck to the state Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission.
Same-Sex Couples Can Purchase CalPERS’ Long-Term Care Plan Following DOMA Ruling
The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act means that CalPERS now can offer its long-term care coverage to same-sex couples. The pension fund sells the coverage to about 160,000 public workers, but it could not provide the coverage for same-sex couples because of DOMA, which did not allow married same-sex couples to access benefits under more than 1,000 references to marital status in federal laws and regulations. Sacramento Bee.
FDA, International Organizations Shut Down 1,677 Illegal Online Pharmacies
Last week, U.S. authorities and several international organizations shut down 1,677 illegal online pharmacies that had been dispensing fake and potentially harmful medications and seized more than $41 million in illegal medications, FDA announced Thursday. John Roth — director of FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigation — said consumers should be vigilant for red flags, such as websites that do not require a prescription or contact through spam email. Wall Street Journal, AP/Sacramento Bee.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of June 28, 2013
California officials have dedicated a new prison hospital that will provide medical and mental health care to 1,700 inmates. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved California Pacific Medical Center’s plan to build a new hospital on Cathedral Hill.