Latest California Healthline Stories
House Speaker Boehner Pushing Entitlement Reform in Deficit Debate
During a recent speech, House Speaker John Boehner reiterated that reforming Medicaid and Medicare is key to lowering the nation’s debt and that it is crucial to link a planned increase in the federal debt ceiling with possibly trillions in spending cuts. New York Times et al.
Editorial Counsels Governor To Address Long-Term Care
“Sadly but predictably, California is woefully ill-prepared to roll with [the] ‘silver tsunami,’ a demographic flood of aging baby boomers,” a Sacramento Bee editorial states. The editorial discusses a Little Hoover Commission report that “calls for a less bureaucratic, more streamlined and better coordinated continuum of care” for elderly residents. Gov. Brown “needs to read” the report and “stop by an adult day care center,” the Bee adds, concluding, “If he did so, he’d … perhaps make a higher priority of ensuring that California seniors less fortunate than himself can lead a dignified, healthful life in their latter years.” Sacramento Bee.
San Diego Moves Ahead on Deal To Curb Retiree Health Care Spending
The San Diego City Council has authorized Mayor Jerry Sanders to move forward on a tentative deal with city workers that is expected to reduce the city’s $1.1 billion unfunded liability for retiree health care by about $323 million. San Diego Union-Tribune, Voice of San Diego.
Medical Technology Industry Growing in Sacramento Area
The number of bioscience companies, medical device makers and pharmaceutical firms in the Sacramento region has increased by 20% since 2008, according to a new report by the Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance. The report — which was presented last week at the Med Tech Showcase at California State University-Sacramento — found that the medical technology industry currently employs about 4,400 workers in the Sacramento area. Sacramento Bee.
Foundation To Help States Expand Health Care Access
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has announced plans to help states implement provisions from the federal health reform law aimed at expanding health care access to uninsured populations. The foundation plans to provide technical assistance to help states set up health insurance exchanges, expand Medicaid and streamline eligibility and enrollment systems. The first 10 states that RWJF will target with the program are Alabama, Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Virginia. Modern Healthcare.
State: Hospital Chain Reporting Inaccurate Infection Diagnoses
An investigation by the California Department of Public Health finds that three hospitals run by Prime Healthcare Services have inaccurately diagnosed several patients with septicemia. Prime Healthcare disputes the findings. California Watch et al.
First 5 Commissions Eye Spending Cuts for FY 2012
First 5 commissions in Riverside and San Bernardino counties are preparing for service cuts and layoffs in response to significantly reduced budgets in fiscal year 2012. In March, Gov. Brown signed AB 99 as part of a state spending package. The bill authorizes the state to take about half of each First 5 commission’s fund balance as of July 30. State officials said the funds will go toward children’s services under Medi-Cal. Several counties have filed lawsuits over the funding shift. First 5 Riverside commissioners have approved more than $16 million in cuts to 40 programs, including children’s health and mental health screenings. Meanwhile, First 5 San Bernardino Executive Director Karen Scott said her office plans to increase efficiency and leave vacant positions unfilled to reduce spending. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
S.F. Puts Off Enactment of Cell Phone Radiation Law
San Francisco has postponed indefinitely the implementation of a new city law that would require stores to display the radiation levels of all cell phones for sale. City officials suspended implementation of the regulation while they meet with the city attorney’s office to discuss the possible consequences of the law and a recent lawsuit filed against it by the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association. San Francisco Chronicle.
Columnist Stumps for Closing Loophole in Clinic Regulation
Los Angeles Times columnist Michael Hiltzik argues that SB 100, by Sen. Curren Price Jr. is necessary to “close the loopholes in the accreditation process” of physician-owned clinics. A court ruling in 2007 “stripped what is now the state Department of Public Health of its jurisdictions over clinics owned by doctors” and gave that responsibility to the Medical Board of California, Hiltzik writes. He adds, “That’s a problem because the medical board has no expertise in inspecting or regulating surgical facilities.” Hiltzik concludes, “The potential for a flood of deaths and injuries from poorly regulated outpatient clinics has loomed ever since the [court] decision. We stand now at the edge of the water. How bad does the crisis have to get before the Legislature finally acts?” Los Angeles Times.
House GOP Leaders Reiterate Support for Medicare Voucher Plan
Six House GOP leaders have released a statement reiterating their support for a proposal to provide Medicare beneficiaries with fixed, lump-sum vouchers to purchase private coverage. The statement comes after a week of conflicting messaging from Republicans about the plan. Washington Post et al.