Latest California Healthline Stories
Lawmakers Introduce Medi-Cal Expansion Bills in Assembly, Senate
State lawmakers have introduced bills that would expand Medi-Cal coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Proponents say the bills would boost health care access, while opponents say a shortage of health care providers could impede the expansion. Ventura County Star et al.
L.A. Medical Pot Advocates To Support City’s Proposal
On Monday, a coalition of Los Angeles medical marijuana advocates announced that they will abandon their May ballot measure and instead support the city’s proposal. Both the city’s proposal and the coalition’s measure would allow only marijuana dispensaries that opened before 2007 to operate, but the city’s proposal also would boost the tax on medical marijuana sales. Because it is too late to withdraw ordinances, the coalition’s original measure still will appear on the May ballot. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
New Bill Would Exempt Certain Workers From Pension Reform Law
New legislation that is sponsored by labor unions would exempt about 20,000 California public workers from a state law requiring higher pension contributions. Pension reform advocates argue that the bill is an attempt by labor unions to undermine the law. Sacramento Bee.
UC-Davis Institute Grants To Target Health Data Exchange
On Thursday, the UC-Davis Institute for Population Health Improvement will issue requests for proposals for two grants to support projects aimed at boosting the development of a health information exchange. A $1 million grant will help rural medical communities evaluate and contract with preselected HIE providers, while a $300,000 grant will help provider and health information groups develop data analysis tools to manage certain patient populations. Sacramento Business Journal.
Employers Get More Time for ACA Exchange Notification
The Department of Labor has delayed the March 1 deadline for employers to notify workers about their cost-sharing plans and the existence of the insurance exchanges available under the Affordable Care Act, according to a CMS announcement. CMS said the deadline would be delayed until “late summer or fall of 2013, which will coordinate with the open enrollment period” for the exchanges. MedPage Today.
Health Care Providers Request Review of 10% Medi-Cal Cut
Health care provider groups are appealing a court decision that would allow state officials to implement a 10% Medi-Cal reimbursement cut. The groups are petitioning for the full 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to review the case. Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal” et al.
Medi-Cal Panel Revises Budget for Gold Coast Health Plan
On Monday, the Ventura County Medi-Cal Managed Care Commission revised the fiscal year budget for Gold Coast Health Plan, an HMO-style alternative for certain Medi-Cal beneficiaries, with projected revenues of about $306 million and expenses of about $302 million. The panel said its revenue projection for the Gold Coast Health Plan increased by about $10 million, while expenses rose by about $12 million. Ventura County Star.
Study: Hospitalists Say Heavy Workloads Are Hurting Patient Care
A new study finds that nearly two in five hospitalists say they that their inpatient workload exceeds safe levels at least once per week. Researchers recommended that hospitals assess physician workloads and establish safety benchmarks. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules” et al.
Calif. Medical Centers Beefing Up Interpretation Services
California medical centers are preparing for an influx of newly insured residents under the Affordable Care Act, many of whom likely speak limited or no English. Although some medical centers have interpreters, they sometimes do not have enough bilingual staff to meet patient demand and have to rely on language service agencies. HealthyCal.
St. John’s Hospital Files Suit Over Nurse Recruitment Flap
St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica has filed a lawsuit against a former human resources executive and a United Kingdom-based nurse recruiter over alleged fraud, bribery and unfair business practices. St. John’s alleges that the recruiter received $700,000 to provide 105 nurses, who never arrived for work, and paid $128,000 in bribes to the former St. John’s official. The defendants have denied the allegations. Los Angeles Times.