Latest California Healthline Stories
School-Based Clinics To Get $75M for Building Projects
On Wednesday, HHS announced that it will provide $75 million in new grants for building and renovation projects for school-based health clinics. The funds are part of $200 million in grants allocated for the clinics under the federal health reform law. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Study: Calif. Hospital Patients Costly to Medicare Program
Five out of the top 10 hospitals where patients cost Medicare the most money are located in California, according to a Kaiser Health News analysis of data published on the CMS Hospital Compare website. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules.”
Steinberg Praises Negotiations on State Employee Cost Cuts
On Thursday, Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg indicated his support for Gov. Brown’s efforts to discuss with state employee union leaders additional workers’ compensation cuts. Brown is expected to outline a reduction of at least 5% in state worker costs in his revised fiscal year 2012-2013 budget plan that is scheduled to be released on Monday. Sacramento Bee‘s “The State Worker.”
GOP Might Avoid Large-Scale Reform Law Replacement
Some House and Senate Republicans are suggesting that party leaders refrain from proposing a comprehensive health reform plan to replace the federal health reform law if the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the law. The GOP lawmakers argue that voters might oppose another effort to push a large-scale overhaul plan quickly through Congress. Instead, some Republican lawmakers want the party to take a piecemeal approach that focuses on individual health care policies. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Lower Copayments Driving Increased ED Use, Study Finds
Relatively low out-of-pocket costs for emergency department services compared with primary care services could be causing overutilization of EDs, according to a study by employee benefits management firm Highroads and the Corporate Executive Board. The study also found minimal difference in out-of-pocket costs between urgent care and primary care services, which, coupled with the longer hours of urgent care clinics, could be driving more visits to urgent care facilities than primary care physician offices. Payers & Providers.
Editorial Urges ‘Yes’ Vote on Cigarette Tax Hike Measure
According to a San Jose Mercury News editorial, Proposition 29 — a June ballot initiative that would increase California’s tax on cigarettes by $1 per pack to raise funds for cancer research and smoking prevention — “would raise an estimated $800 million in its first year and $700 million in subsequent years as smoking declines.” It urges voters to “[v]ote yes” on the measure because it “will reduce smoking and save lives” and the money it generates “will be gravy.” San Jose Mercury News.
Gov. Brown Removes Physician in Prop. 29 Ad From Health Board
Gov. Brown has rescinded the appointment of a physician to a state health board after she appeared in a tobacco industry-funded advertisement criticizing Proposition 29, which would increase the state’s tobacco sales tax. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of May 11, 2012
The California Department of Public Health has cited Shasta Regional Medical Center for repeated breaches of patient confidentiality in 2011. Children’s Hospital & Research Center in Oakland has received $3 million in grant funding that the facility will use for renovations.
Sacramento’s Access Leisure Program on Chopping Block
On May 15, the Sacramento Department of Parks and Recreation will deliver to the city council a budget plan that includes a proposal to end the city’s Access Leisure program for adults and teens with developmental disabilities. The program’s budget faces a shortage of more than $360,000 after raising only about $44,300 through fundraising and attendance fees. Sacramento Bee.
Brown Submits Voter Signatures Supporting Compromise Tax Plan
Gov. Brown has begun submitting voter signatures in support of a compromise tax hike plan. He is expected to submit a total of about 1.5 million signatures statewide to qualify the measure for the November ballot. He said the tax plan will help the state avoid dire cuts. Sacramento Bee.