Latest California Healthline Stories
Stockton Lab Break-In Could Affect Hundreds of Patients
A Stockton laboratory affiliated with St. Joseph’s Medical Center had records containing data on at least 700 patients stolen during a break-in that was discovered on Feb. 2, according to hospital officials. The data included Social Security numbers and health insurance information. St. Joseph notified the police and government agencies. Officials also contacted potentially affected patients by mail, offering them no-cost enrollment in a credit-monitoring system. Stockton Record.
Many California Nursing Graduates Struggle To Find Jobs, Study Finds
A California Institute for Nursing and Health Care survey finds that nearly half of nursing graduates were unable to secure a job in their field 18 months after graduating. Nursing graduates cited lack of experience as the top reason for not getting a job. Payers & Providers.
Poll: Slight Majority of Voters in Favor of Brown’s Tax Plan
A recent Public Policy Institute of California poll finds that 54% of likely state voters support a compromise tax hike proposal developed by Gov. Brown and supporters of the “Millionaires Tax,” while 39% oppose the proposed ballot measure. Meanwhile, about 60% of respondents expressed opposition to increasing income tax to support education programs, which attorney Molly Munger proposed in a competing tax hike plan. Sacramento Bee, U-T San Diego.
Award of IT Contract for Calif. Insurance Exchange Delayed
On Wednesday, David Panush — government relations director for the California Health Benefit Exchange — said that the awarding of a $27 million IT contract for the exchange has been delayed. The contract winner will be tasked with building an IT system to handle insurance eligibility, enrollment and retention for millions of residents who gain insurance through the exchange. Timing for the delayed announcement, which was originally expected Tuesday, is unknown. Sacramento Bee.
WellPoint Reports Drop in Q1 Profit, Cites Rising Health Care Costs
WellPoint — the second-largest insurer in the U.S. — has reported an 8% drop in first-quarter profits. The company said lower enrollment and rising health care costs contributed to the loss, in addition to higher-than-expected claims from a Medicare plan. Los Angeles Times.
Final Ruling: State Controller Cannot Dock Lawmakers’ Pay
A Sacramento judge has finalized a ruling that the state controller cannot block lawmakers’ pay for passing an unbalanced budget. Lawmakers sued the controller for withholding their pay last summer. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert,” KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Senate Panel Approves Measure To Reauthorize FDA User Fee Programs
Yesterday, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee approved a bill to reauthorize user fees that drug and medical device makers pay to FDA for a quicker review of their products. A similar measure stalled in a House committee. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
Clean Air Leads to Health Benefits, Editorial States
According to a Ventura County Star editorial, Ventura County’s air quality in 2011 “was clean enough to meet the original, tough 1997 federal standard.” It concludes that while “efforts to restore clean air can at times be inconvenient and costly,” the “health and quality-of-life benefits realized far outweigh the negatives.” Ventura County Star.
LAO: State Likely Will Be a ‘Few Billion’ Short of Budget Projections
California likely will be a “few billion dollars” short of budget projections after all April tax revenues are collected, according to analysts. Gov. Brown projected that the state would collect $9.4 billion this month in personal income taxes. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Committee Discusses Mental Health, Care Delivery Issues at VA
During a Senate panel hearing, a former mental health administrator at the Department of Veterans Affairs said that VA’s mental health care system has focused more on meeting performance goals than on providing quality care. Washington Post‘s “Federal Eye” et al.