Latest California Healthline Stories
More Counties, Cities Mulling Soda Tax Ballot Measures
Officials in at least six California cities and counties are considering or planning soda tax ballot measures. This month, voters in Richmond rejected a ballot measure that would have imposed a penny-per-ounce tax on certain beverages. Jeff Ritterman — a Richmond city council member and sponsor of the Richmond soda tax measure — insists there is momentum for such taxes and said the goal is to put such measures on 14 city ballots by 2014 to limit the beverage industry’s resources. San Francisco Chronicle.
Insurers’ Proposed Rate Hikes in California Draw Criticisms
Consumer advocates are criticizing health insurers for proposing significant premium hikes ahead of implementation of the Affordable Care Act in 2014. Insurers argue that the hikes are needed to offset the rising cost of medical care. San Francisco Chronicle.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of November 30, 2012
University of California regents have cleared an affiliation between UC-Davis Medical Center and Dameron Hospital. Riverside has approved a $4.5 million tax-sharing plan to fund a $315 million expansion of Riverside Community Hospital that would add 72 private patient rooms.
Lawsuit: Nursing Home Companies Take Patient Care Money for Profits
A California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform lawsuit alleges that state regulators allow nursing home companies to take money from patient care to boost profits. Country Villa Health Services, a defendant in the case, says it is in full compliance with the law. California Watch.
CalPERS Could Sue Over San Bernardino’s Missed Payments
In a U.S. Bankruptcy Court filing submitted on Tuesday, CalPERS threatened to file a lawsuit against San Bernardino for failing to make $6.9 million in payments since July to the pension fund. The city has halted its payments under a bankruptcy plan designed to close a nearly $46 million deficit. Sacramento Bee, KPCC’s “Represent!”
Salinas Providers Plan Health Safety Net for Immigrants
Health care providers in Salinas Valley are working to establish a privately-funded health insurance plan for tens of thousands of the region’s residents, particularly farm and migrant workers, who are ineligible for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act because of their immigration status. Providers also are working to expand services to residents who will be uninsured because of financial or other reasons. HealthyCal.
California Fines Prime $95,000 for Violating Patient Confidentiality
The Department of Public Health has fined Prime Healthcare Services $95,000 for violating patient confidentiality by disclosing private medical data to journalists and hospital workers. Prime says it is appealing the state’s findings and penalties. Los Angeles Times, California Watch.
Durbin Wants Budget Talks To Include Entitlements
On Tuesday, Sen. Dick Durbin urged other Democrats to consider including Medicare and Medicaid reforms as part of a long-term solution to avoid impending spending cuts under sequestration. However, Durbin noted that proposals to increase the Medicare eligibility age could jeopardize elderly U.S. residents’ access to affordable care. Modern Healthcare, Reuters.
Insurers Question Physicians’ Acceptance of Medi-Cal Kids
Insurers Health Net and CalViva say they are unsure whether physicians who care for children enrolled in Healthy Families will continue treating them after the children are shifted to Medi-Cal, which has lower physician reimbursements. California Watch.
California Ranked 33rd in New Study on State Debts
California ranks 33rd among U.S. states in total debt as a percentage of the state’s overall economic output, according to a new study by the American Education Foundation, Harvard University’s Institute of Politics and the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government. The study analyzed both formal state and local government debt, in addition to unfunded liabilities for pensions and retiree health care benefits. It also ranked California 33rd in “best fundamentals,” which include measures of personal well-being. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”