Latest California Healthline Stories
San Francisco Supervisors Raise Questions About Hospital Costs
Yesterday, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors held a hearing on hospital consolidation and other factors that could explain why hospital costs in Northern California are significantly higher than costs in Southern California. San Francisco Chronicle.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of April 29, 2011
Nurses at Children’s Hospital Oakland have announced plans to hold a five-day strike starting next Thursday. Meanwhile, the state Department of Public Health is calling for changes in the emergency departments at UC-San Diego’s two hospitals following incidents at each facility.
Democrats Threaten To Pursue Cuts Targeting GOP-Led Districts
Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg has said he is willing to aim spending cuts at Republican districts if GOP lawmakers refuse to support a budget plan that includes taxes. Republicans say the strategy is unrealistic. Sacramento Bee et al.
California Cities Receive Low Ratings in Air Quality Report
The American Lung Association recently released its annual State of the Air report, which found that Los Angeles has the highest levels of ozone nationwide. The report also ranked Bakersfield as the worst city in the nation for year-round levels of toxic particles. According to ALA, air pollution can aggravate asthma, diabetes, heart conditions and lung disease. Los Angeles Times et al.
Polls Gauge Views of GOP Budget Proposal, Deficit-Reduction Strategies
Two new polls find that seniors generally oppose a Republican plan to overhaul the Medicare program and that separate deficit-reduction proposals put forward by President Obama and the GOP are favored by a nearly equal number of respondents. CQ HealthBeat et al.
Senate Prepares To Vote on GOP-Developed FY 2012 Budget Legislation
On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid confirmed that the chamber will vote on a House-passed fiscal year 2012 budget bill developed by Rep. Paul Ryan. The measure would overhaul Medicare and Medicaid. Senators could vote on the legislation sometime next week. Politico et al.
Health Plans Concerned With Bills To Expand Coverage
A dozen bills pending in the Legislature could add up to $709 million in premium costs for California residents, according to the California Association of Health Plans, which represents the state’s HMOs. The bills would mandate expansions of coverage for autism, breast cancer screenings, mental health care and other services. However, Susan Philip — director of the California Health Benefits Review Program — said there likely would be monetary overlap among the bills if they all passed. Payers & Providers.
L.A. Unions Agree To Set Aside 4% of Salaries for Retiree Health Benefits
Los Angeles city workers have agreed to contribute a portion of their salaries toward retiree health benefits for the first time. Under the new labor agreement, city workers will contribute 4% of their pay toward retiree health benefits and 11% toward pensions. Bloomberg et al.
Salinas Health System CEO’s Pension Sheds Light on Issue
Pension reform advocates are calling attention to the retirement package of Samuel Downing, president and CEO of the Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System. Downing received a $3 million retirement payment two years ago when he turned 65, and he continued working at an annual salary of $668,000. He will receive another payment of about $900,000 when he retires this week, as well as an annual pension of $150,000. Officials at the public health care system say such payouts are necessary to attract and retain talent. Los Angeles Times.
Mercy Telehealth Network Expands to More Hospitals
Mercy Telehealth Network has expanded its reach to include Methodist Hospital in south Sacramento and St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton. The network connects stroke specialists with remote patients through a video monitor, which allows the specialist to quickly diagnose and treat patients experiencing a stroke. The network also includes Mercy Hospital of Folsom, Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital in Grass Valley and NorthBay VacaValley Hospital in Vacaville. Sacramento Business Journal.