Latest California Healthline Stories
Romney Taps Ryan for Running Mate, Putting Focus on Medicare
Over the weekend, presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney announced his selection of Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate. The selection returns national attention to Ryan’s recent proposals to reform Medicare. Wall Street Journal et al.
Beverage Tax Plan Supporters Outspent by Soda Industry
The soda industry and its allies have outspent by nearly 10 to one proponents of a Richmond November ballot measure to implement a one-cent-per-ounce tax on sugar-sweetened drinks, new data show. Richmond City Council Member Jeff Ritterman, a cardiologist who is leading the campaign in support of the beverage tax, said the measure would raise $3 million annually for obesity programs and other wellness efforts. California Watch.
Editorial Supports Audit of Calif. Mental Health Funding
A Sacramento Bee editorial praises two California lawmakers for requesting an audit of how the state is using Proposition 63 funds for mental health programs. The editorial states, “Over the years, there have been many accounts of Proposition 63 money being misspent.” It adds, “The Legislature needs to make sure the money is being properly spent.” Sacramento Bee.
Six Calif. Entities Among ‘Best Places to Work in Health Care’
California is home to two hospitals and four organizations that were named in Modern Healthcare‘s “100 Best Places to Work in Health Care” list for 2012. They are Thousand Oaks Surgical Hospital, Sutter Davis Hospital, Sutter Center for Psychiatry, electronic health record vendor Practice Fusion, medical practice consulting firm Triage Consulting Group and Valley Emergency Physicians Medical Group in Walnut Creek. Sacramento Bee, Modern Healthcare.
Calif. AG Sues Vets Charity Over Misuse of Donations
On Thursday, the office of California Attorney General Kamala Harris announced that it has filed a lawsuit alleging that the founder and directors of Help Hospitalized Veterans — a Winchester-based charity for injured veterans — misused at least $4.3 million in private donations and violated state codes. AP/U-T San Diego, USA Today‘s “On Deadline.”
Health Care District Responds to Civil Grand Jury Report
On Tuesday, San Gorgonio Memorial Healthcare District’s board of directors approved the district’s response to a Riverside County civil grand jury report that highlighted problems with the district’s handling of a bond measure. The district said it already has implemented or is in the process of implementing the grand jury’s recommendations. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Health Reform Law Aims To Curb Unnecessary Procedures
Provisions in the Affordable Care Act give Medicare and Medicaid officials greater authority to track and reject claims for unnecessary procedures. According to federal officials, the law also aims to make it easier for the government and private insurers to share data to identify trends in overused procedures. USA Today.
Lawmakers Send Bill on Hospital Executive Contracts to Gov. Brown
The Legislature unanimously passed a bill to require public health care districts to have written contracts with hospital executives. The bill was developed after an audit found that a hospital CEO worked for 26 years without such a contract. AP/Sacramento Bee, Monterey County Herald.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of August 10, 2012
California Pacific Medical Center has dismissed 120 architects, engineers and planners until the future of its proposed construction project is more certain. Kaiser Permanente is preparing to open a new 262-bed, $425 million hospital to replace its existing facility in Anaheim.
Report Finds Major Calif. Cities Unprepared for Retiree Health Benefits
A new report from California Common Sense finds that most of the state’s largest cities have not been setting aside funds to cover public retirees’ future health care costs. The report says the cities have promised $16 billion in future non-pension benefits, $12 billion of which is unfunded. California Watch.