Latest California Healthline Stories
Brown’s Lawyers Refute Contempt Calls in Prison Overcrowding Case
Lawyers for Gov. Brown say he should not be held in contempt for failing to meet a prison population cap, arguing that the Legislature must fix the issue. They say arguments that Brown can direct lawmakers’ actions are based on a “flawed assumption.” Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal.”
Six Exchange Plans Offer Coverage Through Public Health Care Programs
Six of the 13 health plans that will participate in the state health exchange have experience with the public insurance market through Medicaid and county health plans. Some believe such plans in the exchange will be attractive to lower-income individuals. Payers & Providers.
Final Rule on Workplace Wellness Programs Gives Greater Flexibility
The Obama administration has issued a final rule that aims to provide employers with flexibility to use workplace wellness programs. The rule allows employers to reward workers with as much as 30% of the cost of their health coverage for participating in such programs. New York Times et al.
Majority of Californians Back Brown’s Budget Plan, Poll Says
A recent Public Policy Institute of California poll finds 61% of surveyed state residents support Gov. Brown’s overall budget plan. The surveyed respondents who backed the plan included a majority of independents and just under half of Republicans. In addition, more than half of the respondents (55%) called for paying the state’s debt during the next budget cycle, while 39% wanted to increase social services funding. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Agency Fails To Recoup Tax Money Spent on Toxic Cleanup
The California Department of Toxic Substances Control spent $100 million of taxpayer’s money over 26 years to clean contaminated property but failed to collect reimbursements from liable polluters. The department also identified a separate $40 million wrapped up in legal matters and another $45 million for which bills were sent but reimbursements were never collected. Sacramento Bee.
L.A. Council Opposes City Health Department Proposal
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles City Council opposed a 2014 city ballot proposal by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation that would require the city to establish its own health department. City officials said that such a requirement would be difficult to implement and would create problems for public health services in the county. The City Clerk is verifying signatures gathered by the foundation in support of the measure. KPCC’s “Represent!”
Assembly, Senate Pass Several Health Care-Related Measures
The state Assembly and Senate have passed several health-related bills, including a measure that would prevent a 10% Medi-Cal payment reduction to skilled nursing facilities and legislation to expand access to interpreters through Medi-Cal. AP/U-T San Diego et al.
Riverside County Criticizes Inmate Health Care Lawsuit
Riverside County has asked a judge to dismiss a civil rights class-action lawsuit filed against its jail system by inmates who complained about inadequate health care services. In its response to a cruel-and-unusual punishment complaint filed by four inmates, county officials said that the prisoners had declined to take prescribed mediation, as well as refused or failed to attend medical appointments while in custody. The officials also said that three of the individuals no longer are incarcerated and thus lack standing to sue, further noting that the plaintiffs did not exhaust all available grievance procedures before filing the lawsuit. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Wal-Mart Pleads Guilty to Waste Dumping in California
On Tuesday, Wal-Mart announced that it will pay nearly $82 million to the federal government as part of plea agreements with U.S. attorneys’ offices in California and Missouri over criminal charges that the retailer illegally dumped hazardous waste in the two states. Court filings indicate that the dumping occurred in 16 California counties between 2003 and 2005. Reuters, AP/Contra Costa Times.
Senate Fails To Move Tax Bill for Rx Monitoring Program
On Tuesday, the California Senate failed to advance a bill aimed at curbing prescription drug misuse and overdose deaths in the state. Under the proposed legislation, CURES — a prescription monitoring program that tracks patients’ prescription drug history — would have received funds through an increase in annual licensing fees on prescribers, including physicians and pharmacists, for program maintenance and upgrades. Los Angeles Times.