Latest California Healthline Stories
Pleasant Hill Mulls New Plan To Cut City Officials’ Benefits
The Pleasant Hill City Council is considering a proposal that would eliminate no-cost dental and vision benefits for Pleasant Hill council members, as well as for the city clerk and treasurer. The plan — which also includes cuts to the council’s technology fund — would save the city $25,195 annually, advocates say. If approved, the new policy would take effect in November. Contra Costa Times.
Patients Confused by ACO Outreach Letters, Doctors Say
Several Ventura County physicians have expressed concern about letters that some of their Medicare patients have received about a new Southern California-based accountable care organization program. The letters from Heritage California ACO tell Medicare beneficiaries — some of whom are treated by doctors who are not part of the Heritage Provider Network — that they automatically will be enrolled in the ACO program unless they opt out. Ventura County Star.
Union Pushes Initiatives To Limit Hospital Prices, Boost Charity Care
Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West has until June to collect about 505,000 signatures for ballot measures to limit patient costs for hospital services and require not-for-profit facilities to provide minimum levels of charity care. San Francisco Chronicle.
California Health Care Personnel News Update for January 2012
Margaret Vosburgh of Tufts Medical School in Boston has been named COO of Stanford Hospital & Clinics, effective Feb. 13. Meanwhile, Gov. Brown named Pamela Lane as deputy secretary of California’s health information exchange, based at the state Health and Human Services Agency.
Committee Weighs New Strategies on Payroll Tax Cut, Medicare ‘Doc Fix’
A conference committee is considering new approaches to extend the payroll tax cut and delay planned Medicare physician payment cuts. Lawmakers hope to reach a deal before the end of February, when the previous two-month agreement expires. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
Calif. Nurses Union’s Tactics Raise Questions, Concerns
A confluence of factors such as a growing shortage of nurses and reduced funding for nursing education programs has given the California Nurses Association greater political clout and bargaining power. In recent months, CNA has participated in several one-day strikes in support of other hospital employees who are in the midst of tough contract negotiations. Critics say the union’s tactics are putting patient care at risk. Ventura County Star.
BLS Data: Health Care Sector Added 30,900 Jobs in Jan.
The U.S. health care sector added 30,900 jobs in January, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics employment data. Ambulatory health care services added 12,900 positions, and hospitals added 12,700 positions, according to the data. New York Times, Wall Street Journal.
Brown Signs Bill Allowing Internal Borrowing To Avert Cash Shortage
Gov. Brown has signed a bill allowing the state to borrow $865 million internally to avoid cash flow problems that were expected to begin in March. State Controller John Chiang said the law will help the state avoid issuing IOUs. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert,” et al.
Richmond Weighs Soda Tax To Combat Child Obesity
The Richmond City Council is considering a pair of ballot measures that seek to curb the city’s high child obesity rate. The first measure would set a one-cent per ounce tax on sugar-sweetened drinks, and the second measure would allocate the tax revenue toward public health initiatives. HealthyCal.
Bill To Boost Coach Training To Spot Student Concussions
Last month, California Assembly member Mary Hayashi introduced a bill that would require high school coaches to receive additional sports medicine training for identifying concussions. A new law that requires a physician’s approval before high school athletes can resume play following a head injury does not apply to club competitions. As a result, observers say the measure could leave coaches responsible for recognizing concussion symptoms. Contra Costa Times.