Latest California Healthline Stories
Pending Lawsuits Could Prompt Supreme Court To Revisit Reform Law
Several lawsuits pending in federal courts are challenging the Affordable Care Act and its provisions. Such challenges, including one filed by the Pacific Legal Foundation, could prompt the Supreme Court to review the health reform law once again. USA Today, National Journal.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of December 14, 2012
CMS says that UC-Davis Medical Center does not have the capacity to provide adequate care to patients following an investigation of experimental surgeries conducted by two former staff members. UC-San Diego says that it will cease patient care services at the Nevada Cancer Institute.
CIRM Awards $36M in Grants for Stem Cell Research
On Wednesday, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine announced that it has awarded more than $36 million in grants to physicians and scientists statewide for research of stem cell therapies for various types of diseases. The funding will provide the recipients’ salaries and research support for up to five years. San Francisco Business Times‘ “BiotechSF.”
Calif. Prison Officials Send Layoff Warnings to 2,200 Employees
California Correctional Health Care Services has issued layoff warning notices to 2,200 workers with the goal of cutting 829 positions on March 31, 2013. A state official says that the layoffs are the result of reductions in the prison population. Sacramento Bee‘s “The State Worker.”
Editorial: Case for Expanding Medi-Cal Is ‘Overwhelming’
Gov. Brown “hasn’t committed” to expanding Medi-Cal under the Affordable Care Act “mainly out of concern about the potential cost to the state,” but “the benefits to the public — including higher productivity, better health and fewer unpaid bills at county hospitals — more than justify the investment,” a Los Angeles Times editorial argues. “The Brown administration’s caution is understandable, but if it properly weighs the costs and benefits, the case for expanding Medi-Cal seems overwhelming,” the editorial concludes. Los Angeles Times.
Bill Would Expand Health Care to Undocumented Immigrants
On Tuesday, Assembly member Roger Hernandez introduced a bill that would provide about 400,000 undocumented immigrants in California with access to state-administered health care services. AB 35 also would allow certain immigrants to obtain unemployment benefits and a state ID card, among other things. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Massachusetts Program Could Serve as Model for Curbing Health Costs
Early research suggests that a Massachusetts “global payment” program — in which physicians are rewarded for providing quality care — has reduced health care costs. Experts say the program could serve as a national model for curbing health spending. Los Angeles Times.
Blue Shield Foundation Doles Out $6.4M in Q4 2012 Grants
On Wednesday, the Blue Shield of California Foundation announced that it is awarding $6.4 million in health care grants in the fourth quarter of 2012, bringing its total grants for the year to about $30.3 million. Most of the new grant funding will go toward boosting California’s health care safety net. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area BizTalk.”
Report Details State Workers’ Improper Use of Funding
At least 23 workers at California Correctional Health Care Services received improper travel reimbursements totaling $55,000 between April 1, 2011, and June 30, according to a report released Tuesday by state Auditor Elaine Howle. The report examines improper billings, bribery schemes, mail fraud and waste among state employees, which amounted to $613,000 in misused taxpayer funds. Los Angeles Times et al.
Blue Shield Seeks Rate Hikes as High as 20% for Individual Policyholders
Blue Shield of California has proposed premium rate hikes of as much as 20% for individual policyholders beginning in March 2013. Consumer advocates and economists say the insurer should not seek the increase when it has a reserve of $3.9 billion. Los Angeles Times.