Latest California Healthline Stories
Opinion: Californians Should Learn About CLASS Program
The Community Living Assistance Services and Supports program is “one part of health reform Californians ought to learn more about as Congress and the presidential candidates debate the future of the law this year and next,” Daniel Weintraub — editor of HealthyCal — writes in a Sacramento Bee opinion piece. He notes that “the program is to be open to all and paid for with voluntary deductions from employees’ paychecks,” adding, “People who pay into the program for at least five years would be eligible for a cash benefit they could spend on services of their choice, including in-home care. Weintraub writes that “[n]ine out of 10 California voters over age 40 are unaware of the program, which is scheduled to roll out next year. But when told of its details, 88% said they favored the idea,” according to a recent survey funded by the SCAN Foundation. Sacramento Bee.
State Weighs Whether Prison Health Facility Plans Should Continue
The state is moving forward with construction projects to ease prison overcrowding and improve medical care for inmates, but questions persist over whether California should allow the projects to continue and whether the projects are necessary. San Francisco Chronicle.
Court Strikes Down Individual Mandate in Health Reform Law
On Friday, an appeals court ruled that the health reform law’s individual mandate is unconstitutional, marking the first time an appeals court has ruled against part of the overhaul. The court left the law’s Medicaid expansion intact. Washington Post et al.
Nurses, Hospitals Face Off on Patient Lifting Assistance Bill
The California Legislature, which reconvenes on Monday, is expected to consider a bill, by Assembly member Sandre Swanson, that would require hospitals to provide equipment or establish a special support team to help nurses avoid back strains or injuries when lifting or moving patients. The bill has been endorsed and promoted by the California Nurses Association, but the California Hospital Association opposes the bill because the group says it could cost as much as $375,000 annually to provide a two-person, around-the-clock lift team. CHA Vice President Jan Emerson-Shea said the group is asking for the bill to be revised to provide hospitals with greater flexibility to determine where and when the lifting equipment or support is required. Los Angeles Times.
Editorial Blasts Water Board Retiree Health Plan Decision
Last week’s decision by the San Diego Otay Water District’s board of directors “to provide lifetime health benefits to most district employees and their dependents is one of the most outrageous actions from a local government body in memory,” a San Diego Union-Tribune editorial states. “The claims that increased payments by employees toward their pensions and other changes would actually lead to long-term savings drew sharp and convincing criticism,” the editorial continues, adding, “The move will haunt the district, not just financially but in terms of credibility and destruction of good will.” San Diego Union-Tribune.
California Nurses Strive To Take on Larger Role in Health Care System
California nurses are working with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and AARP to implement recommendations from an Institute of Medicine report that calls for expanding nurses’ role during the rollout of the federal health reform law. Sacramento Business Journal.
Survey: Employers Say Costs To Rise With Health Reform
Three-quarters of U.S. health care employers expect costs to rise under the federal health reform law, including 43% who believe the cost increases will be significant, according to a survey released by Buck Consultants, a human resource and benefits consulting firm. The survey found that nine out of 10 respondents plan to pass on additional costs to workers through higher employee contributions or reduced benefits, 57% do not plan to drop health plan coverage for employees and 48% plan to increase wellness initiatives to improve employee health. Healthcare Finance News.
Calif. Could Cut Pension Spending With Hybrid System, Report Finds
A new report on how pension changes could reduce state spending finds that California could save about $2 billion if state employees paid up to half the cost of their early retirement health insurance premiums. Los Angeles Times‘ “Money & Company” et al.
Report: Oversight Board Collected 20% of Fines Levied Against Dentists
A new legislative report shows that the Dental Board of California has collected only 20% of the fines it has imposed against dentists over the last four years. An official on the board says many dentists appeal the penalties, which impedes the collection of fines. California Watch.
Drug Enforcement Bureau Seeks To Prevent Budget Cut
California Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement officials say the state attorney general’s office is in talks with Gov. Brown’s office and the Legislature about ways to reverse budget cuts that they say could jeopardize the enforcement of narcotics laws. The state budget cut the bureau’s funding by $71 million over two years. Law enforcement officials argue that the funding cut, combined with inadequate technology, could threaten the progress of efforts to combat prescription drug misuse. Sacramento Bee.