Latest California Healthline Stories
Brown Defends Prop. 30, Knocks Schwarzenegger for State’s Budget Deficit
Gov. Brown said that Proposition 30, a compromise tax hike plan on the November ballot, is a “common sense” way to reduce the state’s budget deficit. Brown also criticized former Gov. Schwarzenegger for leaving the state with fiscal problems. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Speaker Pérez Calls for More Health Reform Progress
In a Capitol Weekly opinion piece, California Assembly Speaker John Pérez writes that the state “has been the national leader in implementing” the Affordable Care Act. However, he writes, “[t]here are still some steps that that will need to be taken by the Legislature and governor before additional elements of the [ACA] kick in … in 2014.” Pérez adds, “By addressing those issues in Special Session next year, we can ensure that legislative solutions take effect in a more timely manner, without having to wait until Jan. 1 of the following year.” Capitol Weekly.
Calif. Awards $6.5M Contract To Replace Medi-Cal IT System
The California Department of Health Care Services has awarded Visionary Integration Professions — a Folsom-based information technology and managed services company — a $6.5 million contract to provide project management support. Under the contract, VIP will help design, develop and implement an information management system that will replace the current system that is used for Medi-Cal. Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento Bee.
Opinion: Pass Basic Health Plan During Special Session
In a Capitol Weekly opinion piece, Mitchell Katz — director of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services — argues that the special legislative session — which Gov. Brown plans to convene on the Affordable Care Act — “is an opportunity for California to establish a Basic Health Plan to reduce the number of uninsured without greater risk to the state’s general fund.” Katz concludes, “Legislators should not complete their special session on health care without sending SB 703 to the Governor’s desk.” Capitol Weekly.
Santa Cruz Dental Clinic Nabs $1.4M for Pediatric Wing
Dientes Community Dental Care in Santa Cruz County has received a $1.4 million grant to add a pediatric wing to its Mid-County location, which will help expand dental care availability for low-income county residents. The grant was the largest of three that the county received under the federal Community Development Block Grant program, which awarded more than $51 million statewide last week. Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Aetna, California Medical Association Send Letters in Ongoing Dispute
As part of an ongoing dispute between the California Medical Association and Aetna, CMS has sent a letter to Aetna saying the insurer is refusing to contract with CMA members. The insurer says it will negotiate with CMA members who behave ethically. Sacramento Business Journal.
Judge Denies Request To End Federal Oversight of Prison Health Care
A federal judge again has denied California’s request to end federal oversight of prison health care. The judge ordered state officials to demonstrate that inmates are able to receive adequate health care at each of the state’s 33 prisons. Los Angeles Times, KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Democrats Say U.S. ‘Better Off’ Because of Health Reform Law
During the second day of the Democratic National Convention, Democratic leaders continued to embrace and promote the Affordable Care Act. They used the law to support their argument that the U.S. is “better off” today than it was four years ago. Modern Healthcare et al.
10 Medical Centers Offer Addiction Medicine Training
A training program launched by the American Board of Addiction Medicine is offering residencies in addiction medicine at 10 academic medical facilities to physicians who have completed training in another specialty. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, up to 33% of the 30 million individuals who are expected to gain health coverage under the federal health reform law will have a substance use disorder or mental health problem. However, studies show that many physicians do not recognize or diagnose substance use disorders or know how to properly treat the problem. Kaiser Health News/Washington Post.
Editorial Questions Approval Pace of Pension Reform Bill
According to a Contra Costa Times editorial, lawmakers “had no idea what they were approving” when they recently passed a public pension reform bill. The editorial states, “Within a 72-hour period, Gov. Jerry Brown released sketchy details, the 60-page bill was posted on the Internet, a committee hearing was held and the Legislature approved it.” It adds that “serious problems with the bill” already have been discovered, which “is what happens when a few people develop legislation in secret and lawmakers ram it through without meaningful public review.” Contra Costa Times.