Latest California Healthline Stories
Stockton Watching San Bernardino, CalPERS Dispute
San Bernardino’s bankruptcy case has implications for other cities with budget shortfalls, such as Stockton. After filing for bankruptcy, San Bernardino stopped paying its pension obligations to CalPERS, which prompted the pension fund to threaten to sue the city. Meanwhile, Stockton has continued paying its CalPERS obligations despite filing for bankruptcy. Stockton Record.
Court Upholds Riverside’s Ban on Medical Pot Dispensaries
Riverside officials will renew efforts to shut down medical marijuana dispensaries operating within city boundaries now that a state appeals court has upheld the city’s ban on such dispensaries. The appeals court on Nov. 29 overturned a superior court ruling against the year-old ban. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Study Finds Patients Unaware of Details on High-Deductible Plans
A new Kaiser Permanente study finds that many California policyholders with high-deductible plans are unaware that preventive health services are available to them at no cost or for a small copayment. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules,” Health Affairs‘ “Health Affairs Blog.”
Editorial: Changes to Healthy Families Must Preserve Access
A Los Angeles Times editorial states that the “Brown administration seems determined to phase out Healthy Families as rapidly as it can.” However, it adds, ensuring that “low-income kids have access to the health care they need … is more important than maximizing the potential savings to state government.” Los Angeles Times.
Sacramento County Groups Nab $400K in Mental Health Grants
Four Sacramento County health organizations will receive a total of about $400,000 to implement proposed mental health programs. The grants are provided under California’s Mental Health Services Act of 2004, and another round of funding is expected next spring. Sacramento Bee.
Companies Evaluating Ways To Comply With ACA’s Coverage Rules
Businesses that rely on low-wage workers are assessing ways to comply with the Affordable Care Act’s requirement that they provide full-time workers with health insurance by 2014 or pay a penalty. Some companies are considering layoffs or cuts to workers’ hours. New York Times.
California Health Care Personnel News Update for November 2012
The Gold Coast Health Plan has hired Michelle Raleigh as its new chief financial officer after state officials imposed a corrective action plan on the insurer. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed Diane Winokur to the governing board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
Officials, Experts Say Troubled S.D. Hospice Will Bounce Back
Last week, San Diego Hospice CEO Kathleen Pacurar and other hospice industry experts said they expect the facility to recover from its current financial challenges, which led the hospital to lay off 260 workers and impose a temporary closure that begins Dec. 31. The problems are related to an ongoing federal Medicare audit. U-T San Diego.
HHS Draft Regulations Include User Fees for Federal Exchanges
HHS has released draft regulations saying that health insurers that offer plans in federal health insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act must pay a fee. The monthly fee would begin at 3.5% of a plan member’s premium in 2014. Washington Post‘s “Wonkblog” et al.
Hospitalizations Lower for Rural Infants, Study Finds
Infants born in rural areas of California between 1993 and 2005 were hospitalized less than infants born in urban regions, according to a study by researchers from the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania and the University of Pennsylvania. The study found that infants living in small rural counties were in the hospital for 370 days per 1,000 infants in their first year of life, compared to 474 days for infants living in large urban counties. HealthyCal.