Latest California Healthline Stories
Editorial: Vote ‘No’ on El Camino Salary Cap Measure
A San Jose Mercury News editorial argues that Measure M — a ballot initiative that would cap annual executive compensation at El Camino Hospital at twice the governor’s salary — is “an entirely self-serving measure placed on the ballot … by union members as a ploy to spur El Camino management to pay a higher percentage of union members’ health care benefits.” According to the editorial, it is also “a bad idea to limit executive compensation in this highly specialized and competitive field.” The editorial encourages readers to “[v]ote no on Measure M.” San Jose Mercury News.
CNA Plans One-Day Strike at Seven Sutter Health Hospitals
The California Nurses Association is planning a one-day strike at seven Sutter Health hospitals on Nov. 1 that would affect 3,200 nurses. CNA says the strike rebukes takeaways proposed by Sutter during contract negotiations. Sacramento Business Journal, San Francisco Business Times.
Brown Accuses Prop. 30 Foes of Illegal Money Laundering
On Saturday, Gov. Brown accused the Small Business Action Committee PAC — which opposes Proposition 30, the November ballot tax hike measure he developed with supporters of the “Millionaires Tax” — of illegal money laundering. Brown’s remarks came after an Arizona-based group contributed $11 million to the SBAC PAC to help defeat the measure. An SBAC PAC spokesperson said Brown’s comments do not have merit, calling them a “politically motivated attack.” Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert,” California Watch.
NAHQ Suggests Strategies for Quality, Error Reporting
On Tuesday, the National Association for Healthcare Quality released a set of recommendations to help health care organizations improve quality and error reporting. The recommendations — which also seek to foster best practices to enhance provider quality, improve ongoing safety reporting and protect staff — include educating employees continually about expectations for timely reporting of quality and safety concerns and establishing explicit policies that support error reporting. Healthcare Finance News.
Doctors Concerned About Shift in Management at Several EDs
CEP America, a national emergency medical physician group, has agreed to manage and staff emergency departments at three Mercy hospitals, which has prompted some ED physicians to consider leaving the facilities. Sacramento Business Journal.
Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plans Given High Ratings
Last week, Kaiser Permanente officials announced that CMS has given the health group’s Medicare plans in California an overall rating of five out of five stars. Kaiser officials said that their Medicare parts C and D plans were the only ones in California to earn five stars. This is the second consecutive year that CMS has given the plans its highest possible rating, according to officials. Vallejo Times Herald.
Health Care Issues Continue To Take Center Stage as Election Nears
President Obama criticized GOP opponent Mitt Romney for “backtracking and sidestepping” on a number of issues, including abortion. Meanwhile, a panel of health policy experts said the reform law’s health insurance exchanges could survive a Romney presidency. The Hill‘s “Blog Briefing Room et al.
Sacramento County Sued for Denying Health Care to Poor
In a lawsuit filed in Superior Court, Legal Services of Northern California alleges that Sacramento County is denying General Assistance recipients access to medical services. In addition, the group argues that the county is automatically deducting $40 for medical care from retroactive grant awards even when recipients could not use the services. County officials have denied any wrongdoing. Sacramento Bee.
Report: Calif. Workers’ Compensation Rates Third Highest in U.S.
A new report developed by the Oregon Department of Consumer & Business Services finds that California has the third highest workers’ compensation insurance premiums in the nation. According to the report, California’s rate is $2.92 per $100 of payroll. San Francisco Business Times, DCBS release.
San Bernardino Misses $5.3M in Pension Payments, CalPERS Says
CalPERS says that San Bernardino has withheld $5.3 million in pension payments since it filed for bankruptcy in August. The fund is discussing a payment plan with the city, but CalPERS officials say they might take other action if no agreement is reached. Sacramento Bee, KPCC’s “KPCC News.”