Latest California Healthline Stories
UC-Davis Set To Graduate First Class of Nursing Students
On Thursday, the first cohort of 25 students at the UC-Davis School of Nursing’s masters of science program in nursing education and health care leadership will graduate. The nursing school opened in 2007 with an 11-year, $100 million donation from philanthropist Betty Irene Moore. Sacramento Bee.
Calif. Democrats Release Revised Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Budget
California Democrats have released a revised fiscal year 2012-2013 budget proposal. The revised plan would maintain Gov. Brown’s plans to change certain Medi-Cal services but reject his proposal to overhaul CalWORKs. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert” et al.
Brown, Democrats Still Divided as State Budget Deadline Approaches
Gov. Brown and legislative Democrats remain divided on how to address the state’s $15.7 billion budget deficit. Democrats in the Legislature favor a plan that includes fewer cuts to health and welfare programs than Brown’s plan. San Jose Mercury News et al.
Report: Health Spending To Increase Slowly Until Reform Law Takes Effect
A new report from CMS’ Office of the Actuary predicts that U.S. health care spending will increase slowly over the the next two years. However, the report — published in Health Affairs — predicts that health care spending will grow quickly after health reform law provisions take effect in 2014. Wall Street Journal et al.
Survey Finds Medicaid Costs Rising Despite Cost Controls
Although revenues are returning to pre-recession levels, many states still are struggling with growing Medicaid costs, according to a new survey by the National Governors Association and the National Association of State Budget Officers. NGA Executive Director Dan Crippen said states have tried to curb Medicaid costs through several measures — such as cutting provider payments and reducing prescription drug benefits — but none of the efforts have been successful. Washington Post.
CalPERS Panel Approves Plan To Hike Premiums by an Average of 9.6%
The CalPERS pension and health benefits committee has approved a proposal to increase health insurance premiums by an average of 9.6% next year. The planned rate hike is one of the largest in recent years and more than twice as high as this year’s 4.1% increase. Sacramento Bee, Los Angeles Times.
10 Arrested at Capitol During Protest Over Cuts to IHSS
On Monday, police arrested 10 people who obstructed Gov. Brown’s office while they protested a proposal to cut spending on In-Home Supportive Services. Brown’s revised fiscal year 2012-2013 budget plan calls for cutting nearly $225 million from IHSS by eliminating certain services and reducing worker payments. Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal,” Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Lawsuit Filed Against Blue Shield of California Over Policy Changes
Yesterday, Consumer Watchdog filed a lawsuit accusing Blue Shield of California of a pattern of ending policies and then raising rates for members left in the plan. The lawsuit alleges that the insurer is violating a 1993 state law. Blue Shield officials denied the group’s allegations. San Francisco Chronicle.
Controller: May Revenues Up, Signs of ‘Weakness’ Seen
In his monthly budget newsletter, State Controller John Chiang said that California’s May revenues were $83.5 million above estimates for the month, citing “strong growth in the insurance tax.” However, he warned that the “major drivers of revenues in the state are still showing signs of weakness.” Chiang said that “June revenues are the ones to watch” and that the “last month of the fiscal year is now the biggest.” San Francisco Business Times.
Survey: More Small Calif. Firms To Offer Benefits Under Exchange
A new survey finds that one-third of California small businesses offer health insurance to their employees. However, 44% of small businesses in the state say they are likely to offer benefits when the state’s health insurance exchange opens in 2014. Los Angeles Times, Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”