Latest California Healthline Stories
Ventura County Group To Meet With Gold Coast CEO, CFO Candidates
The Ventura County Medi-Cal Managed Care Commission plans to hold closed-door meetings with candidates for CEO and CFO of Gold Coast Health Plan. In past months, the plan has received complaints about late payments and poor management. Ventura County Star.
3.1M Young Adults Have Gained Coverage Under Reform Law, HHS Finds
An HHS report finds that about 3.1 million young adults have gained health insurance because of a health reform law provision letting them stay on their parents’ coverage up to age 26. About 75% of U.S. residents ages 19 to 25 currently are insured. Washington Times et al.
Study: California Hospitals Collect Extra Spinal Surgery Payments
A new study finds that California hospitals were paid twice for spinal operations performed on workers’ compensation patients in 2010. The study estimates that the extra payments added $20,000 to the cost of each spinal surgery. California Watch.
Report: More Hospitals Banning Discrimination Against LGBT Patients
A Human Rights Campaign report finds that more U.S. hospitals have adopted policies specifically banning discrimination against bisexual, gay and lesbian patients. Sixty-five percent of surveyed inpatient hospitals extended visitation rights to same-sex partners. Washington Post.
Study: Older Prisoners Don’t Get Adequate Medical Care
U.S. prison medical facilities are not equipped to handle the growing number of older prisoners, according to a new UC-San Francisco study. Between 2000 and 2009, the number of prisoners over age 55 increased by 80%. The study’s authors recommended better training of prison and medical staff, increased dementia screening and better eligibility criteria for early prison release based on medical needs. San Francisco Business Times.
UC-Davis Nursing School Receives Accreditation
The UC-Davis School of Nursing recently received accreditation from the independent Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Heather Young — associate vice chancellor for nursing at UC-Davis and founding dean of the school — said the distinction means that the school’s “first class graduates from a newly accredited program.” The accreditation must be renewed after five years. Sacramento Bee.
Steinberg Sets Goal To Complete Budget Talks With Brown This Week
Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg has said that he aims to reach a budget deal with Gov. Brown by the end of this week. Democrats continue to negotiate with Brown on proposed cuts to CalWORKs and other spending measures. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
House Approves Bill To Boost Penalties for Sale of Counterfeit Rx Drugs
Yesterday, the House passed a bill to raise penalties against those involved in selling counterfeit prescription drugs. Under the bill, companies could be fined up to $15 million for a first offense and $30 million for subsequent offenses. The Hill‘s “Floor Action Blog,” CQ Today.
Top HHS Official To Resign in Mid-July, CMS Announces
On Friday, acting CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner announced in an email to employees that Steve Larsen — director of the HHS Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight — will resign in mid-July. Although the timing of Larsen’s resignation has prompted rumors that the Obama administration is not confident about the U.S. Supreme Court’s upcoming decision on the constitutionality of the federal health reform law, Larsen said that his departure is not related to the court decision. Tavenner said that Larsen will be replaced by Michael Hash, director of the Office of Health Reform at HHS. Politico et al.
Editorial: Voters Should Oust Health District Officials
According to a Contra Costa Times editorial, the directors of the Mt. Diablo Health Care District “continue to misrepresent the finances of the wasteful and unnecessary agency as they desperately try to stall its inevitable elimination or takeover.” The editorial notes that the health care district has not run a hospital since 1997 but still collects taxes. The editorial states that the directors’ “ongoing delaying tactics will probably force the holding of regularly scheduled health care board elections in November.” It concludes, “It’s time to end this, and the ballot box may be the best way to do so.” Contra Costa Times.