Latest California Healthline Stories
Unions Divided on Efforts To Relax Nurse-to-Patient Ratios
The California Labor Federation voted 60-2 to reject a request — by Dave Regan, a top executive at Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West — to “go neutral” on legislation that would temporarily ease nurse-to-patient ratios in California hospitals during meal and rest times. The California Nurses Association opposes efforts to adjust nurse-to-patient staffing laws. Sacramento Business Journal‘s “Blog.”
GOP Criticizes MedPAC’s Plan for Medicare Patients
At a health subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, House Republicans expressed opposition to a proposal by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission to impose a fee on Medicare beneficiaries who purchase supplemental coverage, such as Medigap. Reps. Sam Johnson and Dave Reichert said they were concerned that the fee would force some beneficiaries to delay essential care. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Tobacco Tax Hike Ballot Initiative Vote Still Too Close To Call, State Says
State officials say that Proposition 29, a tobacco tax hike initiative on the June 5 ballot, was losing by 17,534 votes as of Tuesday morning. According to the secretary of state’s office, just over 370,000 state ballots remain uncounted. AP/Sacramento Bee, Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal.”
Calif. Could Lose $15B Annually if Court Strikes Down Health Law
If the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the federal health law, California could lose up to $15 billion annually in federal funds. Lawmakers say the state does not have enough resources to enact comprehensive health reform on its own. Los Angeles Times.
Groups Eye Locals To Boost S.J. Valley Physician Rolls
Hospitals, medical societies and physician groups have been working with educators to address a physician shortage in San Joaquin Valley by tapping young residents who would be willing to pursue medical careers in the area. For example, the San Joaquin Valley Program in Medical Education — sponsored by UC-Merced — launched last fall with its first class of six medical students who all are Valley residents. Stockton Record.
Senators, Media Groups Seek Televised Coverage of Health Reform Ruling
This week, two senators sent a letter to Chief Justice John Roberts asking the Supreme Court to televise its ruling on the federal health reform law. About 50 media groups also recently sent a letter asking Roberts to allow video and audio recording of the decision. Politico et al.
United Healthcare Sues Calif. Surgical Firm for Overbilling
On Monday, United Healthcare Services filed a lawsuit against Saratoga-based Bay Area Surgical Management claiming that the company has made millions of dollars by submitting inflated and fraudulent bills to the insurer. Aetna filed a similar lawsuit against the company earlier this year. Bay Area Surgical Management has denied the allegations, saying they are part of efforts by the two insurers to pressure the company into signing a contract for low patient care reimbursement rates. San Jose Mercury News.
Health Facilities in Northern Calif. Praised for LGBT Policies
Several Northern California health care facilities were among the 71 health care institutions nationwide that were praised in a recent Human Rights Campaign Foundation report for adopting policies that prohibit discrimination against bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgender patients and employees. San Francisco Business Times.
Brown Seeks To Cut Use of Flame-Retardant Chemicals
On Monday, Gov. Brown announced that he has directed state consumer safety officials to modify a decades-old state flammability standard that allows manufacturers of furniture and other household products to use large amounts of hazardous flame-retardant chemicals. A Department of Consumer Affairs spokesperson said officials plan to meet with environmental and industry leaders in the next few weeks and draft a new regulation by late August. California Watch.
No Overtime Pay for Rx Sales Reps, Supreme Court Rules
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision ruled that pharmaceutical sales representatives qualify as salespersons and thus are not entitled to overtime pay. Federal labor law exempts outside salespersons from overtime pay requirements. Justice Samuel Alito in the majority opinion said that although the representatives do not sell anything and instead “obtain nonbinding commitments from physicians to prescribe their employer’s prescription drugs in appropriate cases,” they are qualified under relevant laws as salespersons. New York Times, Wall Street Journal.