Latest California Healthline Stories
Sebelius Says HHS ‘On Track’ To Implement ACA Insurance Exchanges
Yesterday, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius reiterated that HHS’ implementation of the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges is “on track.” She also rejected criticism that the ACA has led to higher premium costs and job losses. Modern Healthcare, CQ Roll Call.
Assembly Committee Rejects Apartment Smoking Ban
On Wednesday, the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee voted 5-2 against a bill that would have banned smoking in apartment buildings and other multi-family housing facilities. Critics of the bill — by Assembly member Marc Levine — questioned who would enforce the rule and what effect it would have on habitual smokers or people with disabilities who cannot easily leave their residences. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Bill To Boost Funds for Disarming Mentally Ill Individuals Advances
The Assembly approved a bill to boost efforts to disarm individuals who are prohibited from possessing guns because of mental illness or other factors. The bill now goes back to the Senate for a final vote before heading to Gov. Brown. AP/UT-San Diego et al.
L.A. County Offers Meningitis Vaccines to Certain Residents
On Wednesday, Los Angeles County began offering no-cost meningitis vaccines to low-income and uninsured residents, amid concerns of a potential outbreak of the disease. Since November 2012, there have been 13 cases of meningitis and two meningitis-related deaths in the county. However, Jonathan Fielding — a county health officer — said there is no evidence of an outbreak. Los Angeles Times.
Bipartisan Policy Center Releases Health Care Cost Containment Plan
The Bipartisan Policy Center has released a plan to reduce the federal deficit by about $560 billion over 10 years by curbing health care costs. The plan would eliminate the sustainable growth rate formula and make other changes to Medicare. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules” et al.
Union for 13K UC Health Care Workers Schedules Strike Vote
AFSCME 3299 has announced that its 13,000 members who work as patient care technical workers at University of California medical centers in Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco will hold a strike vote from April 30 to May 2. A UC spokesperson said pension reform is at the center of the dispute. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area BizTalk.”
NUHW Files Union Election Complaints Against Kaiser
The National Union of Healthcare Workers — which is seeking to replace Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West as the union representing 45,000 technical and service employees at Kaiser Permanente — has filed two complaints alleging that Kaiser has interfered with the union election. Kaiser refuted the allegations. Sacramento Business Journal.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of April 19, 2013
Novato Community Hospital has reached a tentative labor agreement with the California Nurses Association. Health care providers at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center are urging hospital administrators to expand the hospital’s emergency department to address overcrowding.
Officials Investigate Nev. Mental Hospital That Sent Patients to California
A Nevada mental health hospital that allegedly put hundreds of mentally ill patients on buses and sent them to cities in California and other states is being investigated by city attorneys in San Francisco and Los Angeles, as well as the Joint Commission and CMS. Sacramento Bee.
Ark. House Passes Alternate Medicaid Expansion Proposal
On Tuesday, the Arkansas House voted 77-23 to approve a state health care budget bill that includes an alternate Medicaid expansion proposal that would shift eligible residents into a “private option” through the state’s health insurance exchange. GOP governors across the U.S. are considering similar proposals to avoid expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Reuters et al.