Latest California Healthline Stories
Opinion Piece Questions New Private Retirees’ Pension Law
In a Contra Costa Times opinion piece, Rich Danker, economics director at American Principles Project, writes that a new law that creates a state-managed retirement fund on behalf of private-sector workers “has the potential to retrofit the defined benefit pension model — discarded by most companies a long time ago — over the California businesses who can least afford it.” He adds that “mandating employer-provided accounts and promising state-sanctioned investment return further confuses retirement as an expectation, rather than objective.” Contra Costa Times.
Study: Care Guidelines Have Little Effect on Readmissions
Procedural guidelines created to ensure quality hospital care do not have a significant effect on readmission rates, according to a new study in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. Researchers said that care protocols may have “little impact on the risk of readmission” or that the guidelines may be too broadly defined. Reuters.
OMB Reviewing Rules on Essential Benefits, Health Insurance Exchanges
The Office of Management and Budget is set to review proposed final rules on essential health benefits for plans that will be offered through state health insurance exchanges. HHS also sent to OMB proposed rules on standards for such plans. Modern Healthcare, CQ HealthBeat.
CBO: Health Programs Will Account for Larger Share of GDP in 2020
According to a Congressional Budget Office report, federal spending on Medicare, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program will account for 6.3% of gross domestic product by 2020. Such spending accounted for 4.7% of GDP this year. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
L.A. Mayoral Candidate Offers Health Benefit, Pension Overhaul Plan
Los Angeles city council member and mayoral candidate Jan Perry has presented a plan estimating about $44 million in annual savings if city workers agree to contribute 10% of their salaries toward health benefits and 11% toward pensions. KPCC’s “KPCC News,” Los Angeles Times.
Grocery Chain Workers Strike Over Retiree Health Benefits
On Wednesday, employees of the West Sacramento-based grocery store chain Raley’s went on strike for a fourth consecutive day to protest the company’s plan to eliminate health care benefits for retirees who are eligible for Medicare. Raley’s says that it is considering the plan because rising health care costs have contributed to financial challenges for the company. Sacramento Bee.
Report: 19% of Smartphone Users Have Health Care Apps
A new report from the Pew Internet & American Life Project finds that about 19% of U.S. adult smartphone users have applications to help them manage their health, with wellness and fitness apps being the most popular. The report also notes that 31% of mobile phone owners have used their phones to look up health information, up from 17% in 2010. MobiHealthNews et al.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of November 9, 2012
Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital nurses participated in a three-day strike to protest issues such as pay and staffing levels. Ventura County has awarded Pacific Mobile Structures a $3.3 million contract to build a crisis residential treatment center at Ventura County Medical Center.
System To Support Health Data Sharing in Emergencies
A new emergency response system launched by the National Health Information Sharing and Analysis Center aims to protect critical health care infrastructure and information systems during a natural disaster or cyberattack. The system is designed to help health care organizations access emergency response protocols and improve their information sharing. Healthcare IT News et al.
Coalition Proposals Aim To Reduce Health Care Spending, Boost Revenue
The National Coalition on Health Care has released proposals to cut $220 billion in federal health spending and increase certain revenues by $276 billion. Coalition members say the proposals aim to boost health care performance and reduce waste. Los Angeles Times‘ “Politics Now.”