Latest California Healthline Stories
Opinion: Small Businesses Benefiting From Reform Law
“[W]e want to let people know there’s a lot in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that will help California entrepreneurs thrive while providing health coverage to their valued workers,” John Arensmeyer — founder and CEO of the Small Business Majority — and Beth Sirull — executive director of Pacific Community Ventures — write in a Sacramento Bee opinion piece. They write, “The health reform law is stocked with provisions aimed at reducing costs for small business and ensuring access to quality, affordable insurance.” Arensmeyer and Sirull conclude, “This act is working for small business.” Sacramento Bee.
California Health Care Personnel News Update for March 2011
Cindy Ehnes — former director of the California Department of Managed Health Care — has been named CEO of the California Children’s Hospital Association. Meanwhile, Ron Werft of Cottage Health System has been named the 2011 chair of the California Hospital Association.
Federal Officials Release Proposed Accountable Care Organization Rules
Yesterday, CMS unveiled proposed regulations governing the creation of accountable care organizations mandated under the health reform law. HHS estimates that ACOs will save Medicare between $510 million and $960 million during the first three years. New York Times et al.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of April 1, 2011
Board members of Doctors Medical Center have agreed to change the center’s governance structure in an effort to secure a $10 million loan from Contra Costa County. Meanwhile, Rady Children’s Hospital and Sanford Children’s Clinic have opened a pediatric care facility in Oceanside.
Brown Proposes List of Sweeping Changes to Calif. Pension System
Gov. Brown has released a list of proposals that would significantly change California’s pension system. The changes would affect all state and local public employees. Brown wants many of the measures to be passed by a legislative vote. Sacramento Bee et al.
Sausalito Group Wins HHS Challenge for Health Apps
Sausalito-based Healthy Communities Institute has won HHS’ myHealthyPeople Application Developers Challenge. HHS organized the contest to encourage software developers to create applications that could improve community health. HCI won the challenge for its Healthy Communities Network, which offers an online dashboard to help communities assess their health needs. Modern Healthcare.
Calif. Democrats To Push for Tax Vote, Warn of Effects of Deeper Cuts
In the wake of stalled state budget negotiations, Gov. Brown says he still will pursue a tax extension measure to close the remaining $15.4 billion deficit. Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers are warning the public about the implications of an all-cuts budget. AP/Ventura County Star et al.
GOP FY 2012 Budget Plan Would Trim $1T From Medicaid in 10 Years
Republicans’ fiscal year 2012 budget proposal, which will be released next month, would slash about $1 trillion over a decade from the Medicaid program. The plan likely would transform Medicaid into a block grant program, in which states could use federal funding as they choose. Politico et al.
Dooley Predicts ‘Highs,’ ‘Lows’ in Reform Implementation
At the Sacramento Business Journal‘s annual health care breakfast in Sacramento on Thursday, California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Diana Dooley said, “There will be highs and there will be lows” for California businesses as the state works to implement the federal health reform law. Beginning in 2014, the health reform law requires employers with 50 or more workers to offer health care benefits or pay a fine. Dooley said the employer mandate is necessary to spread risk and lower costs. Sacramento Business Journal.
Editorial Urges Lawmakers To Pass Bill To Ban Bisphenol A
A San Francisco Chronicle editorial urges the California Legislature to pass legislation, by Assembly member Betsy Butler, that would prohibit bisphenol A in products aimed at young children. The editorial states that chemical and can-manufacturing companies “lobbied furiously last year to kill” a similar bill. The editorial concludes, “This time, legislators need to act, not on behalf of industry lobbyists, but in the interest of children’s health.” San Francisco Chronicle.