Latest California Healthline Stories
L.A. Medical Pot Dispensary Workers Join Labor Union
On Thursday, workers at several medical marijuana dispensaries in Los Angeles unionized in part to contest a proposed citywide ban on the facilities. The workers joined with the United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 770, whose president vowed to use the “full force” of its 35,000 members to keep the dispensaries open. Los Angeles Times.
Senate Panel Clears Bill Tweaking Sacramento County’s Dental Plan
A state Senate panel has approved a bill — by Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg — that would give Sacramento County children enrolled in Medi-Cal a choice between the current managed care dental program and a fee-for-service model. Sacramento Bee.
More Than 100 Nurses Protest Hospital Executives’ High Pay
On Thursday, more than 100 registered nurses rallied outside the California Hospital Association’s Sacramento headquarters to protest the high wages of hospital executives. Organizers from the California Nurses Association-National Nurses United said the protest targeted the “increased austerity programs by wealthy corporate hospital chains while handing out lavish pay packages to the top 1% of hospital executives.” Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Business Journal‘s “SBJ Morning Roundup.”
Residents Say Calif. Should Tax, Regulate Medical Pot
Fifty-five percent of respondents to a recent Sacramento Business Journal survey said California should address conflicting local, state and federal laws on medical marijuana by regulating and taxing the substance. According to the survey, 33% of the 461 respondents said they support a statewide ban of medical marijuana, while 9% said municipalities should be authorized to regulate the substance themselves. Sacramento Business Journal.
Report: State Expands Jails, Forgoes Cheaper Alternatives
A recent report by the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California finds that California has allocated billions of dollars to build or expand jails as part of an initiative to reduce prison overcrowding. The report notes that the state has not pursued the cheaper alternatives called for under the state’s prison realignment law, such as drug treatment and vocational training programs. San Jose Mercury News.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of March 23, 2012
The Daughters of Charity Health System has taken steps to join Ascension Health Alliance, and the systems hope to finalize an agreement by the end of the year. Blue Shield of California is considering a proposal from UCLA that could settle a long-standing contract dispute.
House Passes Measure To Repeal Independent Payment Advisory Board
Yesterday, the House approved legislation that would repeal the federal health reform law’s Independent Payment Advisory Board. The measure is not expected to clear the Senate, and President Obama has vowed to veto the legislation if it reaches his desk. AP/USA Today et al.
Calif. Officials Seek New Limits on Certain Small Business Health Plans
State officials are seeking ways to limit the sale of a certain type of self-insurance to small businesses. Critics say the plans do not require businesses to take on enough risk and that insurers are selling them mostly to companies with healthier workers. Los Angeles Times.
Claims Processing Efficiency Project To Expand in Calif.
Blue Shield of California and the Hospital Association of Southern California say their joint project to improve claims processing efficiency has been successful and will be expanded to other portions of the state. The pilot project, known as the Partnership in Operational Excellence and Transparency, has cut the claims cycle time from 32 days to 28 days. Payers & Providers.
Mental Health Funds Used as Intended, Opinion Piece Says
In a Capitol Weekly opinion piece, John Grohol — founder and editor-in-chief of the website Psych Central — counters recent arguments that money from Proposition 63, or the Mental Health Services Act of 2004, “isn’t going to the programs it was intended to fund.” He writes that funding from the law is “going to a wide range of hundreds of programs and services in each county in California that help children, adults and seniors who have mental disorders. Exactly as was intended.” Capitol Weekly.