Latest California Healthline Stories
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of February 24, 2012
Children’s Hospital of Orange County is being investigated by the California Department of Public Health after the facility reported a surgical error. A status report on San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital shows that construction on the two-story, 37,500 square-foot facility is 80% complete.
Major Calif. Health Plans Raise Premiums at Rates Outpacing Medical Costs
Major state health insurers are increasing premiums for individual plans at rates outpacing medical care costs. Insurers say they are raising rates based on claims experience with policyholders and because healthier individuals are leaving the market. Los Angeles Times.
Some Detained Immigrants Have ‘Serious’ Mental Illnesses
As many as 1,000 undocumented immigrants detained in the U.S. have a “serious mental illness,” according to attorneys filing a class-action lawsuit on behalf of detainees in California, Arizona and Washington. The lawsuit argues that the federal government has denied immigrants with mental illnesses their due process rights and violated federal anti-discrimination laws by not permitting them to have court-appointed attorneys. California Watch.
Editorial Says Tobacco Taxes Could Hurt State Budget
An Orange County Register editorial states that California’s decision to borrow $4.4 billion against uncertain revenue from a tobacco settlement might force officials to tap the state’s general fund. The settlement funds might not become available because they are linked to shrinking tobacco sales. The editorial calls for a moratorium on tobacco taxes, arguing that they would “further depress cigarette use, making the bond repayment problem worse.” Orange County Register.
President Obama Signs Measure on Payroll Tax Cut, Medicare ‘Doc Fix’
Yesterday, President Obama signed legislation to extend a payroll tax cut and delay scheduled cuts to Medicare physician payments. When the “doc fix” expires at the end of 2012, physicians would face a nearly 32% cut in Medicare payment rates. The Hill‘s “Blog Briefing Room” et al.
GOP Candidates Discuss Health Care Reform, Other Issues in Debate
During a debate yesterday, Republican presidential candidates Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney accused each other of setting the stage for the federal health reform law. Meanwhile, Santorum faced pressure to explain his views on reproductive health issues. The Hill‘s “Hill Tube” et al.
Poll: Brown’s Tax Plan Would Fare Well Without Rivals
If Gov. Brown’s tax hike proposal and two rival tax plans all appear on November’s ballot, none of the proposals are likely to pass, according to a poll of 500 voters that Brown’s aides released on Wednesday. The poll suggests that Brown’s plan could pass if the rival plans are omitted from the ballot. Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal.”
Supreme Court Declines To Rule on Medi-Cal Reimbursement Suit
The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to rule on a lawsuit considering whether Medi-Cal beneficiaries and providers can sue over reimbursement cuts. The justices said a lower appellate court should re-examine the case. Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee.
Opinion: Nurse Practitioners Viable Alternative for Care
With primary care physicians “in short supply, both in California and nationwide,” nurse practitioners can help fill the gap, Patricia Dennehy — a professor at UC-San Francisco’s School of Nursing and director of GLIDE Health Services in San Francisco — writes in a Los Angeles Times opinion piece. Dennehy notes that NPs help reduce costs because they provide the same quality of comprehensive care as physicians but receive lower salaries. Los Angeles Times.
Republican Lawmakers Support Gov. Brown’s Pension Reform Plan
State Republican lawmakers have introduced several bills based on Gov. Brown’s pension reform plan and called on Democrats to support the proposals. Democrats said they are in the process of reviewing Brown’s plan. Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal.”