Latest California Healthline Stories
Health Advocates Say Brown’s Budget Proposal Would Hurt Underserved
Health care advocates are raising concern that Gov. Brown’s fiscal year 2012-2013 budget proposal would have dire implications for underserved communities, warning that proposed cuts would affect minorities, the elderly, children and rural patients. New America Media et al.
GOP Candidates Discuss Entitlement Cuts, Health Insurance, Reform Law
Over the weekend, many GOP presidential candidates discussed health care issues in New Hampshire. Former Sen. Rick Santorum said he would shift Medicaid responsibility to the states, and Rep. Ron Paul said he would repeal the federal health reform law. AP/Washington Post et al.
Treasury: IRS Must Brace for Health Reform Tax Appeals
In an audit released last week, the Treasury Department’s inspector general for tax administration said the Internal Revenue Service should prepare for an influx of taxpayer appeals in 2014, involving several new credits and penalties under the federal health reform law. According to the audit, the IRS appeals division is preparing by assigning an analyst to manage appeals related to the overhaul, creating an internal website to help staff address specific issues and dispatching staff throughout the agency to monitor preparations. However, the audit suggests that IRS take a more formal approach to prepare for heavier caseloads in 2014, when the agency will be responsible for ensuring that U.S. residents purchase health coverage and that businesses offer health plans to their workers. Washington Times.
Alameda County Collaborates To Expand Health Care Access
In preparation for 2014 when most of the federal health reform law’s provisions are scheduled take effect, officials from several Alameda County health care agencies are working together to extend health care and wellness programs to as many county residents as possible. They hope to meet the medical needs of as many as 150,000 newly insured residents by participating in a federal waiver initiative that provides funding to Medi-Cal. Officials from the agencies — which include the county’s public health department — meet regularly to discuss ways to integrate care for low-income residents, a process they plan to streamline with the launch of shared electronic health records by 2014. HealthyCal.
Tenderloin Health Center To Close Amid Financial Turmoil
On Thursday, the board of directors of San Francisco’s Tenderloin Health announced that the center will close because of financial problems. According to Tenderloin Health CEO David Fernandez, the center — which serves homeless and indigent city residents at risk of acquiring HIV or AIDS — is dealing with debt amid a poor economy and the loss of federal funds. Fernandez said the center would close in the next several months, once new providers are found for its clients. Each year, the center provides about 250 patients with medical care, 500 patients with dental care, 750 with housing assistance and serves 1,400 individuals who need prevention and testing services. San Francisco Chronicle.
DOJ, Plaintiffs File Briefs Ahead of Supreme Court Hearings on Reform Law
In a brief to the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice defended the constitutionality of the health reform law’s individual mandate. Meanwhile, the plaintiffs argued that the whole law must be invalidated if the court finds the mandate unconstitutional. Washington Post et al.
California Health Care Personnel News Update for December 2011
Gov. Brown has appointed Michael Bishop of UC-San Diego Medical Center and Dev GnanaDev of Arrowhead Regional Medical Center to the Medical Board of California. Meanwhile, Mt. Diablo Health Care District has hired Daymon Doss as its first executive director in nearly 15 years.
Calif. Prison Realignment Plan Sparks Medical Care Concerns
The state has begun to shift supervision of newly released state prisoners to county probation agencies as part of its efforts to reduce prison overcrowding and cut costs. However, officials in Los Angeles and other counties are discovering that many of the inmates lack complete medical records and suffer from serious mental health issues. Officials warn that counties might not have the resources to provide adequate care to the former inmates. Los Angeles Times.
State Health Agency Releases Reports on Hospital Infections
The California Department of Public Health has released reports on infection rates at state hospitals. The reports also detail information about infection prevention practices and influenza vaccination rates at hospitals. Chico Enterprise-Record et al.
Sebelius: Health Reform Law Working To Tamp Down Costs
In a Washington Post opinion piece, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius writes that the federal health reform law is designed to reduce costs “in three ways: by increasing insurance-market competition, assisting those who can’t afford coverage and tackling the underlying cost of medical care.” Sebelius notes that the reform law “also makes health plans more affordable for small businesses and individuals by creating a marketplace of state-based health insurance exchanges,” adding that “the Affordable Care Act gives us tools to reduce costs by promoting better health and providing better care, especially in Medicare and Medicaid, which can be tremendous forces for positive change across the entire health care system.” Washington Post.