Latest California Healthline Stories
Analysis: Sequestration Could Cut $180M From Calif. Research Funding
A new analysis finds that California could lose about $180 million in medical and scientific research funding under sequestration, the most of any state. According to the analysis, NIH funding cuts could halt current research and impede biomedical innovation. Los Angeles Times.
L.A. County Partners With OneLA To Enroll Residents in Medi-Cal
Los Angeles County is partnering with OneLA, a coalition of community groups, to host events where eligible residents can enroll in Medi-Cal in preparation for a program expansion. The events are being held at churches, schools and other locations. Los Angeles Times.
Senate Approves Budget Proposal That Includes Cuts to Health Spending
On Saturday, the Senate voted to approve a $3.7 trillion fiscal year 2014 budget proposal that includes $275 billion in health care cuts over the next decade. The vote marks the first time in four years that the Senate has approved a budget proposal. AP/Modern Healthcare et al.
Medicare Payment Rates Should Not Be Based on Region, IOM Panel Says
An Institute of Medicine panel has released an interim report finding that health care providers would be unfairly rewarded or penalized under a congressional proposal that would establish Medicare reimbursement rates based on a “geographic value index.” Kaiser Health News et al.
Covered California To Open Call Center in Rancho Cordova
On Friday, officials confirmed that Covered California — the state’s health insurance exchange — will open one of its two statewide call centers in Rancho Cordova this August. The call center is expected to create 500 new jobs for the region. Sacramento Bee.
Immigration Reform Plans Could Affect Health Access in California
Federal immigration reform plans would gradually provide health care benefits to undocumented immigrants in California and other states. Certain California groups believe such immigrants should receive health reform benefits sooner. Ventura County Star.
Federal Officials Tout Private Option To Expand Medicaid
The Obama administration is encouraging states resistant to the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion to consider an alternative plan that would allow them to shift low-income, Medicaid-eligible residents to coverage under the ACA’s insurance exchanges, even though the approach could be more costly. HHS already has granted Arkansas “conceptual approval” to adopt the private “premium assistance” option. New York Times.
Lincoln Nursing Facility Cited, Fined in Patient’s Death
On Friday, the California Department of Public Health issued a $100,000 fine and a “Class AA” citation — the most serious citation possible — against Lincoln Meadows Care Center after an investigation found that the facility overmedicated a stroke patient who later died. Plum Healthcare — the current owner of Lincoln Meadows — declined to comment on the citation. Sacramento Bee.
FDA To Release Mobile Health App Guidance by October
During a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing Thursday, an FDA official announced that the agency plans to issue final guidance on how it will regulate mobile health applications by Oct. 1. In addition, the official said FDA will not regulate health-related lifestyle apps or apps that perform the functions of an electronic health record or personal health record system. Modern Healthcare, Clinical Innovation & Technology.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of March 22, 2013
After five months of negotiations, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors has approved a plan to allow California Pacific Medical Center to build its Cathedral Hill campus. Riverside County Regional Medical Center expects to end fiscal year 2013 with a nearly $10 million budget shortfall.