Latest California Healthline Stories
Workers’ Compensation Panel Recommends Rate Increase
On Wednesday, the Governing Committee of the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California voted to recommend an average base rate of $2.68 per $100 for workers’ compensation policies renewing or starting on the first day of 2013. The recommendation is 12.6% higher than the $2.38 per $100 average base rate that insurers filed as of July 1. Sacramento Business Journal.
IOM Proposals Would Cut Medicare Hospital Payments by 3% to 4%
The Institute of Medicine’s proposed changes to Medicare payments would result in California hospitals losing 3% to 4% in reimbursements on average. Many rural counties would see reduced physician payments under the proposals. Redding Record Searchlight et al.
Steinberg Requests State Audit of Use of Proposition 63 Funding
Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg has requested an audit of mental health funds raised by Proposition 63. Critics say the funding has been used to help residents without a diagnosed mental illness. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Appeals Court Reinstates Nursing Home Lawsuit
On Wednesday, a California appeals court reinstated a lawsuit against Covenant Care — which owns 16 nursing homes in Alameda County — and ruled that patients can sue long-term care facilities for failing to comply with state nurse staffing standards. A lower court judge had sided with Covenant Care, ruling that only state regulators had the authority to enforce staffing requirements at skilled nursing homes, but the appeals court overruled that decision. San Francisco Chronicle.
Romney, Obama Keep Trading Barbs About Medicare Program
During a campaign event yesterday, presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney accused President Obama of cutting Medicare funding to pay for the health reform law. Obama countered that the Medicare changes would help strengthen and extend the program. Los Angeles Times et al.
Business Group Supports Gov. Brown’s Pension Reform Plan
On Monday, 15 members of the Regional Economic Association Leaders Coalition endorsed a 12-point pension reform plan by Gov. Brown. In a letter to the governor and lawmakers, the members of the business group said that the plan is “an important first step toward returning our pension obligations to a state of fiscal sustainability.” Brown has not pushed forward with the plan since Republicans in February used its proposals for their own legislation. Sacramento Bee‘s “The State Worker.”
Editorial Says Santa Clara Plan ‘Shuns’ Private Providers
According to a San Jose Mercury News editorial, a plan to reorganize Santa Clara County’s health care system considered Wednesday by the county Board of Supervisors’ Health and Hospital Committee is “vague at best” and “shuns the private hospitals and clinics” that have helped the county deliver health care services in the past. The editorial states that although “[s]treamlining operations of various kinds definitely can help control costs,” the “county system has worked best when all of the players — public and private — have a stake in it.”
Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans Launch Health IT Initiatives
L.A. Care Health Plan has launched a Web-based eConsult portal that allows primary care and specialty physicians to communicate and share patient information. The tool aims to reduce unnecessary visits to specialists. Meanwhile, Inland Empire Health Plan has launched a vital sign monitoring telehealth project designed to help members with diabetes better manage their disease. Payers & Providers.
Nurses Union Report Details Charity Care at Not-for-Profit Hospitals
A California Nurses Association report finds that not-for-profit hospitals in 2010 received more than $1.8 billion in government subsidies beyond what they provided in charity care. CNA wants the state to set charity care levels for the facilities. Contra Costa Times, CNA release.
Editorial: Calif. Should Cut Spending, Avoid Tax Increase
According to an Orange County Register editorial, “Too often, Sacramento’s revenue projections are inflated beyond reason, spending is increased even when supposedly being reduced and taxpayers are asked to balance the dishonest books.” The editorial states that Gov. Brown and lawmakers “should reduce spending to within realistic revenue expectations, without adding to Californians’ tax burden” with proposals such as a compromise tax hike plan developed by Brown and supporters of the “Millionaires Tax.” It concludes, “That would be a giant step toward fiscal responsibility and honesty.” Orange County Register.