Latest California Healthline Stories
GOP Members of Debt Panel Release Deficit-Reduction Proposal
Yesterday, Republicans on the debt committee offered a deficit-reduction plan that calls for $1.2 trillion in spending reductions, including cuts to Medicare benefits and providers. The plan counters a proposal that Democrats released earlier this week. Los Angeles Times et al.
Elderly Health Care Services’ Costs Up in Sacramento Area
Costs for nursing home, assisted living and adult day health care in the Sacramento region over the past year have increased at a sharper rate than costs nationwide, according to a report from insurance provider MetLife. For example, the average cost of private nursing home rooms in the Sacramento region increased by 6.7%, to $272 per day, compared with a 4.4% hike, to $239 per day, for the same type of rooms nationwide. Meanwhile, the daily rates for adult day health care services and private rooms in assisted living centers in the region increased by 5.5% and 3.7%, respectively, according to the report. Sacramento Business Journal.
Weight-Loss Surgeries Increase, Related Deaths Remain Low, Study Says
An Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development report finds that the number of weight-loss surgeries in California increased by nearly 7% from 2005 to 2009. However, mortality rates related to the procedure have remained low. Riverside Press-Enterprise et al.
California Hospitals Cite Issues With CMS Data on Blood Infection Rates
The California Hospital Association is questioning the validity of data on CMS’ Hospital Compare website that show blood infection rates at some California hospitals are higher than the national average. CMS posted the data online earlier this month. Payers & Providers.
Ventura County Approves Funds for Clinic Expansion
On Tuesday, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved a plan to provide up to $4 million to help finance the expansion of the Magnolia Family Health Clinic, one of the county’s largest public medical clinics. The project will allow the clinic to increase its services in urgent care, primary care and specialty care with 27 additional exam rooms, a procedure room and space for fetal testing. Stan Patterson, the medical director of the clinic, said the project could be completed by June 2012. He added that the number of patients the facility serves annually could rise from 55,000 to 75,000. Ventura County Star.
Brown To Propose Reform for Pensions, Retiree Health Care
Today, Gov. Brown will lay out a pension reform plan that would increase public workers’ contributions toward health care costs. The proposal also calls for a pension system involving a guaranteed benefit and a 401(k)-style investment. AP/Washington Post et al.
WellPoint Reports Drop in Q3 Profit, Increase in Revenue
On Wednesday, health insurer WellPoint — the parent company of Anthem Blue Cross in California — announced that it earned $683.2 million in net income for the third quarter of 2011, a 7.5% decline from the $739.1 million in profit it earned during the same quarter of 2010. Total revenue for Q3 2011 rose to about $15.4 billion, a 5.7% increase from the $14.57 billion in revenue it reported for the same quarter last year. Los Angeles Times‘ “Money & Company,” AP/Sacramento Bee.
L.A. County Supervisors Seek Greater Oversight of First 5
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors signaled its plan to shift oversight of First 5 LA, which administers funds for early childhood health and education programs. The board voted 4-1 to ask the county counsel to develop an ordinance that would transform First 5 from a separate legal entity to a county agency. Board members noted that a recent audit of First 5 identified several problems with the agency’s monitoring of its finances. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
Largest N.Y. Insurer Agrees To Disclose Rate Filings
United Health/Oxford, New York’s largest health insurer, has agreed to drop a lawsuit arguing that insurers can keep their rate increase filings secret. In September, the state’s financial services department ordered United Health/Oxford to publicize its rate increase filings. State policy previously had granted insurers a “trade secret” exemption for their records. The insurer had said that public disclosure would reduce competition, offer competitors an unfair advantage and raise prices. The company’s decision to voluntarily release details about its premium increase requests could influence other insurers across the country to begin releasing similar information. New York Times, Wall Street Journal.
House Democrats Blast Debt Plan That Targets Entitlement Spending
Yesterday, House Democrats criticized the proposed Medicare and Medicaid cuts included in a deficit-reduction plan reportedly developed by Democrats on the debt panel. Meanwhile, Republicans on the committee are close to finalizing their own debt-reduction plan. The Hill et al.