Latest California Healthline Stories
S.F. Mayor Unveils Plan To Curb City Costs for Pensions, Health Care
San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee has released a plan aimed at reducing the city’s health care and pension costs by up to $1 billion over the next decade. The plan would require workers to pay into a retiree health care trust fund. San Francisco Business Times, San Francisco Chronicle.
Majority of Americans Do Not Favor Plans To Make Cuts to Medicaid
A Kaiser Family Foundation poll finds that 13% of U.S. residents want significant cuts made to Medicaid as part of efforts to address the federal deficit. About half of respondents said the program is somewhat or very important to their family. CQ HealthBeat, Kaiser Health News.
Ventura County’s Medi-Cal Transition Posing Challenges
Ventura County is facing challenges as it works to transform its Medi-Cal program into a new managed health care organization called Gold Coast Health Plan. Pharmacists have expressed concern about reimbursements under the new plan and physicians are worried that they will see a surge in patients with Medi-Cal coverage. Ventura County Star.
UCLA Unveils Global Bio Lab To Study Infectious Disease
On Monday, UCLA opened a $32 million, 6,000 square-foot Global Bio Lab to analyze infectious diseases and prepare for pandemics. According to Linda Rosenstock — dean of the UCLA School of Public Health — the lab initially will be used as an academic research facility to study influenza. Rosenstock added that the lab ultimately will be used by federal, state and local officials during disease “surge modes” to try to curb the spread of illnesses. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Health Care Providers Convey Concerns About Proposed ACO Rules
A number of health care providers are voicing concerns that the proposed rules for accountable care organizations could increase costs rather than save money. HHS has estimated that ACOs could save Medicare between $510 million and $960 million over three years. Politico.
Editorial: Let Non-Medical Personnel Give Epilepsy Drug
A Sacramento Bee editorial states that “California Senate leaders … need to permit a vote” on legislation that “would authorize school administrators, teachers and other volunteer staff members to administer a prescription drug in suppository form that can stop seizures.” According to the editorial, “Some of the state’s top experts on epilepsy testified in legislative hearings that people who aren’t nurses are perfectly capable of administering [the drug], and that the consequences of doing nothing are severe.” The Bee concludes that “hard-working and dedicated school employees ought [to] be able to choose to volunteer to help a child in distress.” Sacramento Bee.
Stanford, Foundation Set Up Medical Research Fund
Stanford University will match a $10 million donation from the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation to establish a medical research endowment at the school. According to the university, the endowment will enable the Wallace H. Coulter Translational Research Grant Program to continue in perpetuity. San Francisco Business Times.
Health Care Expected To Contribute to Growth in California’s General Fund
Over the next four years, California’s general fund budget is expected to grow from $88.8 billion to $112.5 billion, the highest level in state history. A large portion of the increase likely will stem from Medi-Cal growth and rising health spending. San Francisco Chronicle.
Rep. Lee: U.S. Fight Against HIV/AIDS Is ‘Far From Over’
In an Oakland Tribune opinion piece, Rep. Barbara Lee writes, “Earlier this month, I was joined by 87 House colleagues in introducing HR 1880, legislation to request a status report on the implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and progress toward achieving universal access to treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS.” Lee continues, “For those of us on the front lines of this battle against HIV/AIDS, there is much to be optimistic about and to be encouraged by. But we all know that this fight is far from over.” Oakland Tribune.
Nurses Reach Tentative Labor Agreement With University of California
University of California nurses and the UC administration have reached a tentative deal on a contract that would include pay increases and a limit on employee contributions for health coverage. The nurses are voting on ratifying the contract this week. Sacramento Bee et al.