Latest California Healthline Stories
Launch of New IHSS Payroll System in O.C. Likely Delayed
The long-awaited implementation of the In-Home Supportive Services program’s new payroll system in Orange County — which is scheduled for Feb. 5, 2013 — could be postponed because of significant problems with the system in Merced, San Diego and Yolo counties, where it was launched this year. A union representing home care workers has asked the state to halt further implementation of the system until the issues have been resolved. Orange County Register.
White House Expected To Release Several ACA Rules After Election
Federal officials are preparing to issue several health reform law rules after Tuesday’s election. Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about a potential conflict of interest involving a contractor for a federal health insurance exchange. Politico, The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Sutter Health Donates $500K to Hurricane Relief Efforts
Sutter Health has donated $500,000 to the American Red Cross to aid relief efforts in regions along on the East Coast that were affected by Hurricane Sandy last week. Meanwhile, Sutter employees have raised more than $661,000 this year for the California chapter of the March of Dimes. Payers & Providers.
Small Firms Less Likely To Offer Insurance, Report Finds
About half of workers in U.S. companies with fewer than 50 employees were eligible for and offered employer-based health coverage in 2010, compared with about 90% of workers in firms with 100 or more employees, according to a report released Wednesday by the Commonwealth Fund. The report’s authors wrote that they expect the Affordable Care Act to improve the “affordability and comprehensiveness” of coverage for employees in small firms. Modern Healthcare.
Poll Shows 48% of Voters Favor Proposition 30
The latest Field Poll on Proposition 30 — the November tax hike ballot measure that Gov. Jerry Brown (D) developed with supporters of the “Millionaires Tax” — finds that likely voters favor the initiative 48% to 38%, with 14% undecided. Respondents were more likely to favor the measure than in surveys conducted previously. Sacramento Bee.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of November 2, 2012
Dignity Health has halted negotiations to acquire Ashland Community Hospital in Oregon without citing specific reasons. Kaiser Permanente’s San Diego Medical Center has begun transferring patients to its new neonatal intensive care unit, which includes private rooms.
San Diego Hospitals Getting Lower Medicare Payments Under ACA
Eight San Diego County hospitals are receiving lower Medicare payments under a federal health law provision seeking to curb readmission rates. Payment reductions range from 0.41% at Sharp Memorial Hospital to 0.02% at Scripps Memorial Encinitas and Alvarado Hospital. U-T San Diego.
ACA Knowledge Increases Approval, Survey Finds
Education efforts aimed at increasing public understanding of the Affordable Care Act likely would increase its approval rating, according to a new survey led by Stanford University researchers. Researcher Jon Krosnick said that “lacking full knowledge [about the law] leads to much less enthusiasm about it.” Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules.”
Kaiser Lays Off 84 Nonunion Workers in Southern Calif.
Kaiser Permanente recently laid off 84 nonunion employees across Southern California in what officials described as a “modest downsizing of staff” as part of “a series of cost-reduction initiatives.” The layoffs did not include physicians. Meanwhile, union officials say they have heard that as many as 550 employees in the region are expected to be laid off in the coming months. Contra Costa Times.
Obama Would Better Handle Medicare, Swing State Voters Say in Polls
New polls find that more likely voters in Florida, Ohio and Virginia believe that President Obama would better handle Medicare than GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney. However, Romney has narrowed Obama’s lead on the issue in Florida and Virginia. New York Times‘ “The Caucus.”