Latest California Healthline Stories
Seniors, Advocates Urge Lawmakers Not To Cut Adult Day Health Care
California’s elderly and their advocates are appealing to lawmakers to block proposed budget cuts that could end state-run adult day health care services. Critics of the plan say ending the services would actually cost taxpayers more than keeping the services intact. Los Angeles Daily News.
Brown Institutes Hiring Freeze, Abandons Minimum Wage Battle
Gov. Brown has announced a state worker hiring freeze to help reduce spending but exempted agencies critical to public safety. Brown also dropped a lawsuit that aimed to let him reduce state worker pay to the minimum wage. Los Angeles Times et al.
More Health Care Details Released From Obama’s 2012 Budget Proposal
More details have emerged from President Obama’s proposed fiscal year 2012 budget for the federal government. The proposal includes budget increases for CDC, FDA and NIH, but a $1.3 billion reduction in funds for HHS to implement the health reform law. New York Times et al.
Whooping Cough Vaccine Mandate Set To Take Effect
Health agencies and local schools have begun efforts to inform parents about a new state law that requires students in seventh to 12th grade to show proof of immunization for pertussis, or whooping cough, before returning to school in the fall. Last year, 8,383 cases of whooping cough were reported in California, the highest number of cases since 1947. Local officials say the vaccine requirement is important, but some have raised concerns about the timeline and confusion about the new rule. San Jose Mercury News, Ventura County Star.
HHS Seeks To Boost Rolls of High-Risk Insurance Pools
HHS has renewed efforts to increase awareness and enrollment in the high-risk insurance pools created by the federal health reform law, after enrollment has fallen well short of federal officials’ expectations. To better reach potential enrollees, HHS has signed agreements with major private insurers to distribute information about the plans to consumers who have been denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions. The agency also is reaching out to states, consumer groups, chronic disease organizations, health care providers, social workers and other federal agencies to promote the high-risk pools. Healthcare Finance News.
Kern County Looks To Extend Health Care to Rural Areas
Clinica Sierra Vista has agreed to participate in the Kern Medical Center Health Plan, doubling the number of care locations for the program, which aims to provide medical care to rural Kern County residents. Clinica Sierra Vista initially declined to be a part of the program, but Clinica CEO Steve Shilling said a better reimbursement rate, lobbying by program officials and news articles about the program prompted the group to change its mind. Bakersfield Californian.
Millions of Californians May Gain Insurance Under Health Reform
A report says the health care reform law could expand health coverage eligibility for nearly five million uninsured California residents. However, the state faces challenges to increasing enrollment, such as the complexity of Medi-Cal applications. Los Angeles Times.
Editorials Urge Gov. Brown To Tackle Pension Reform
Editorials in the San Francisco Chronicle and the Sacramento Bee argue that pension reform is key to addressing the state’s budget gap. The Chronicle cites a report from the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office that found that pension costs have increased from 1% to 2% of the state budget in the late 1990s to 7%. The Bee concludes, “Getting serious about the ticking time bomb of pension obligations could make the governor’s job easier in dealing with the immediate budget crisis. Plus, it is the right thing to do.” San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee.
Most Recalled Medical Devices Approved Via Expedited FDA Process
A study finds that most medical devices recalled in recent years were cleared through FDA’s expedited approval process. However, FDA says the results are “not surprising” because most products go through the expedited approval process. Wall Street Journal et al.
LAO Identifies Possible Health Program Cuts if Tax Extensions Fail
California’s nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office has released a letter detailing alternative program cuts if Gov. Brown’s plan to extend taxes is not approved. The letter identifies cuts totaling $1.2 billion in health and human service programs as an option. Sacramento Bee et al.