Latest California Healthline Stories
Workers at Northeast Valley Health Clinics To Join Union
About 80 physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants who work at 13 California clinics run by Northeast Valley Health have voted to become part of the Union of American Physicians and Dentists. The health workers said they decided to unionize because of concerns related to Northeast Valley Health’s scheduling policies, lack of wage increases and insufficient responsiveness. United Press International.
Lawmakers Urge Obama To Replace Berwick as CMS Administrator
Some U.S. lawmakers have said that the Senate is unlikely to confirm the re-nomination of Donald Berwick as CMS administrator. Last week, 42 Republican senators sent a letter asking President Obama to withdraw his nomination of Berwick. New York Times, Modern Healthcare.
Patient Records Stolen From L.A. County Rehab Facility
At least 667 patient records — which included names, dates of birth and health care data — were stolen in February from an unencrypted laptop computer belonging to the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, according to Los Angeles County health officials. Michael Wilson, spokesperson for the county’s Department of Health Services, said letters have been sent to affected patients and the facility has undertaken a review of its portable electronic devices. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now,” KTLA News.
Skilled Healthcare Leasing Facilities to Brius Healthcare
On Friday, nursing home chain Skilled Healthcare announced it is leasing its five facilities in Humboldt County to Brius Healthcare, also a nursing home operator, beginning in April. Skilled Healthcare would retain ownership of the facilities under the 10-year lease. The lease deal must receive regulatory approval, which is expected in the next few weeks. Eureka Times-Standard.
Judge Orders State To Suspend Planned Medi-Cal Rate Freeze
On Friday, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction barring the state from moving forward with plans to freeze Medi-Cal payment rates for inpatient care. The judge said the freeze could cause “irreparable harm” to hospitals. Sacramento Bee.
State, Federal Officials Investigating CalPERS’ Drug Benefit Contract
California’s attorney general and the Securities and Exchange Commission are looking into allegations that drug benefits firm Medco Health Solutions provided improper payments to former CalPERS board members during contract negotiations. Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee.
Study: Many Patients at California EDs Leave Without Being Seen
As many as one in five patients at California’s emergency departments leave without being seen, according to a recent study. The study finds that EDs located in low-income communities have higher patient departure rates than EDs located in higher income areas. HealthDay.
California Health Care Personnel News Update for February 2011
Gloria Molina — chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors — has been named to L.A. Care Health Plan’s board of governors. Meanwhile, Bertram Lubin of Children’s Hospital Oakland has been appointed to a panel of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
Counties To Shift Medi-Cal Beneficiaries to HMO Plans
Sixteen California counties are planning to enroll 380,000 Medi-Cal beneficiaries who are elderly or have disabilities in managed care plans. The move stems from the five-year, $10 billion Medi-Cal waiver the state secured from the federal government in November 2010. The waiver allows for enrollment of individuals in HMOs to provide more comprehensive care and could save between $200 million and $300 million annually. Sacramento Business Journal.
GOP Lawmakers Considering Cuts, Changes to Medicare
Last
week, House Speaker John Boehner said that the GOP plans to develop a budget
proposal for the upcoming fiscal year that would include significant cuts to
Medicare to control the program’s costs. Meanwhile, House Budget Committee
Chair Paul Ryan is promoting a voucher system as part of proposed Medicare
reforms. Under the proposal, Medicare beneficiaries would receive vouchers —
at an amount dependent on their income and health status — to purchase health
coverage. Wall Street Journal, Kaiser Health News.