Latest California Healthline Stories
Gov. Brown Signs Legislation Reforming Public Pensions
Gov. Brown has signed into law a pension reform bill requiring state workers to pay at least 50% of pension costs. Reaction to the law is mixed, with some saying it attacks retirement security and others saying it does not do enough. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert” et al.
Analysis: Eight States To Be Hit Hard by Reform Law’s Medicare Cuts
A new white paper from the University of Minnesota finds that health care providers and insurers in California and seven other heavily populated states will be disproportionately affected by the $716 billion in Medicare cuts included in the Affordable Care Act. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Nursing Schools Expect Shortage of Faculty Members
Experts are bracing for a nationwide shortage of nursing faculty in the coming years because of the expanded role of nurses under the Affordable Care Act and the decision by more nurses to forgo careers in academia for higher-paying jobs in hospitals and the private sector. U-T San Diego.
Doctors Worry Murder Charges Will Deter Legitimate Prescribing
California physicians are wary of prescribing pain medications amid efforts to convict doctors of murder for prescribing drugs to patients who fatally overdose. Doctors say the actions could negatively affect patients who need prescription drugs. Los Angeles Times.
Gov. Brown Defends Pension, Tax Hike Plans, Cites Imperfections
Gov. Brown said that a pension reform bill and compromise tax hike plan are imperfect but the best plans that lawmakers could agree upon. He is expected to sign the pension reform bill today. Contra Costa Times et al.
Analysts Expect Health Care Spending To Remain High
In 2010, the U.S. spent $2.6 trillion on health care, or about $8,233 per person, and CMS analysts expect that health care spending will remain high in the coming years. According to CMS, health care spending will reach $4.6 trillion by 2020, accounting for about 20% of the U.S. gross domestic product. However, experts say that the Affordable Care Act is helping to address various issues that contribute to rising health care costs. Los Angeles Times.
Reform Law Has Saved Consumers $2.1B Since Last Fall, HHS Reports
An HHS report states that the Affordable Care Act has saved consumers $2.1 billion since September 2011. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the savings stem from the law’s medical-loss ratio rule and rate hike regulations. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” CQ HealthBeat.
Calif. Watchdog Agency Probes Another Health Care District Official
State officials are investigating Township Health Care District board member Michael Wallace to determine if he has violated conflict-of-interest laws. Wallace also is chair of Fremont Bank’s board of directors, which has received $1.2 million from the district over 10 years. Bay Citizen.
Study: Medicaid Could Lose Up to $1.26T Under Block-Grant Proposal
A Bloomberg Government study finds that converting Medicaid into a block-grant system would reduce funding for the program by up to $1.26 trillion over nine years. Such Medicaid proposals have garnered support from GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney. Bloomberg et al.
One-Third of State Workers Set To Pay More for Pensions
A pension reform bill approved by the Legislature would increase by 1% to 3% over the next two years the amount about one-third of state worker pay toward their pensions. The increase would apply to state workers who are not already paying half the “normal” cost of their pensions, a new standard set by the legislation. Gov. Brown is expected to sign the bill into law. Capitol Weekly.