Latest California Healthline Stories
CMS Issues Final Rule Increasing Pay Rates for Certain Hospital Services
On Monday, CMS issued a final rule implementing a 1% Medicare payment rate increase for inpatient treatment at acute care hospitals for fiscal year 2012. The rule also raises by 1.8% Medicare payment rates for long-term acute care facilities in FY 2012. Modern Healthcare et al.
CMS Issues Final Payment Rules for Several Providers
On Friday, CMS issued final rules updating Medicare payments to skilled nursing facilities, hospice programs and inpatient rehabilitation facilities. One final rule will apply an 11.1% Medicare payment cut to SNFs beginning Oct. 1 for fiscal year 2012. Meanwhile, under another CMS final rule, hospice programs will receive a 2.5% payment increase beginning Oct. 1. Meanwhile, CMS issued a final rule that said IRFs will receive a 2.2% Medicare payment increase beginning Oct. 1 for FY 2012. Modern Healthcare, AHA News.
Analysis Finds Violence Against Hospital Staff Commonplace in State
A recent analysis by the Los Angeles Times finds that violence against nurses and other hospital caregivers is common in California and across the U.S. Violent incidents are most common in emergency departments and psychiatric wards, according to the analysis. Los Angeles Times.
Editorial: Address Negative Effects of Health Reform Law
A San Diego Union-Tribune editorial argues that the health reform law will exacerbate the existing primary care physician shortage and place “major financial burdens” on states. According to the editorial, the country’s physician shortage “should be an urgent focus of President Barack Obama and Congress, especially given how long it takes to educate and train doctors.” It adds, “In recognition of states’ budget worries, the president told the National Governors Association earlier this year that he was eager to provide flexibility to state leaders in implementing the federal law. But in May, his administration took a first step toward giving federal regulators veto power over state changes in Medicaid payments to doctors and hospitals.” The editorial states, “Obama needs to resolve the disconnect between the promise he made to governors and the actions his administration is taking.” San Diego Union-Tribune.
USC Report: Tackling Chronic Conditions Can Save Billions
A new report by researchers from the University of Southern California’s Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, Harvard University’s School of Public Health and RAND suggests that reducing the rates of obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure among middle-age U.S. adults could save Medicare and Medicaid as much as $632 billion by 2050. The report — published this month in the journal Social Science & Medicine — also suggests that addressing these chronic conditions could raise life expectancy. The researchers noted that the health status of people in their 50s plays a key role in their medical needs and costs of care. United Press International, USC News release.
Blue Shield of Calif., St. Joseph Health Team Up for ACO
Blue Shield of California and St. Joseph Health System have announced plans to launch an accountable care organization. The ACO — which is set to launch Jan. 1, 2012 — is expected to serve about 30,000 Blue Shield HMO members in Orange County who are patients at St. Joseph. The ACO will last for a minimum of 12 months, “with the intent of extending the collaboration to have a material, sustainable impact on health care costs for members and employers over time,” according to a Blue shield release. Healthcare Finance News, Modern Healthcare.
IOM Says FDA Should Overhaul 510(k) Medical Device Approval Process
The Institute of Medicine is recommending that FDA dismantle its 510(k) approval process for medical devices because it does not guarantee product safety or efficacy. FDA dismissed the recommendation and said it will continue to modify the 510(k) process. AP/Washington Post et al.
Officials Set Goal for Level of Toxin in Drinking Water
Last week, the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment issued the nation’s first public health standard for levels of the carcinogen hexavalent chromium in drinking water. Under the new standard, the level of the chemical should not be more than 0.02 parts per billion. George Alexeeff, acting director of the office, said the goal for limiting the carcinogen in drinking water will help the state Department of Public Health establish a regulatory standard on the chemical in drinking water. Los Angeles Times‘ “Greenspace,” Sacramento Business Journal.
Shasta County IHSS Workers Mull Benefits or Pay Cut
On Wednesday, Shasta County officials told In-Home Supportive Services workers that the county must either cut medical benefits for some employees or reduce their wages from $9.30 an hour to $8.70 an hour. Currently, 284 of the county’s nearly 2,800 IHSS workers receive medical benefits through the county, according to Tristan Brown, political director for California United Homecare Workers. If the union chooses the pay cut, about 400 workers likely would qualify for county medical coverage, according to Cynthia Lahey, Shasta County chapter chair of the California United Homecare Workers Local 4034. Redding Record Searchlight.
State Has Slashed Billions From Health Services Since Recession
California has cut billions of dollars from health and human services programs in recent years as a result of the economic downturn. The cuts have diminished the safety net for the elderly, low-income residents and individuals with disabilities. Los Angeles Times.