Latest California Healthline Stories
Clinic for Adult Film Industry Reopens Under New Owner
The Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation clinic reopened late last week, nearly two months after county officials closed the clinic and state officials denied it a license to operate. The clinic was sold to a for-profit medical practice and reopened as AIM Medical Associates. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
Advocates Say Ending Adult Day Health Care Will Add to State Costs
Supporters of adult day health care say Gov. Brown’s proposal to eliminate the program could lead to higher state spending because it could spur beneficiaries to seek care from nursing homes, emergency departments or other institutions. San Francisco Chronicle.
Health Reform Law’s Benefits for Hispanics Largely Ignored
The federal health reform law would significantly benefit Hispanics, but experts say lawmakers are not doing a good job explaining the law’s implications to the Hispanic electorate. If the reform law is fully implemented, more than 2.1 million Hispanics in California and 9 million nationwide would receive medical coverage. Bakersfield Californian.
UnitedHealth Invests $3.9M in Contra Costa Not-for-Profit
On Monday, UnitedHealth Group announced that it has invested $3.9 million in La Clinica de La Raza to help the not-for-profit provide care to Contra Costa County residents. The health plan purchased tax-exempt revenue bonds from the not-for-profit as part of its 20-year, $200 million California Health Care Investment Program. San Francisco Business Times.
GOP Governors Seeking Changes to State-Based Insurance Exchanges
On Monday, 21 Republican governors sent a letter to HHS requesting more leeway in how their states can operate insurance exchanges. Among other requests, the governors want the ability to waive federal mandates to let states set their own rules for benefits. Politico et al.
San Francisco Reports Data Breach Affecting Medi-Cal Beneficiaries
A former San Francisco employee e-mailed the records of about 2,400 Medi-Cal beneficiaries to her personal computer, attorneys and union representatives. The records included names and Social Security numbers, but not sensitive medical information. San Francisco Examiner.
GOP To Omit Language To Defund Reform Law From Spending Measure
House Republicans are planning to leave out from a federal government spending measure any provisions to block funding for the health reform law. GOP members say their intent in drafting the continuing resolution was to bring down spending, not defund the reform law. Politico.
Editorial: Epilepsy Drug Bill ‘Matter of Common Sense’
An Inland Valley Daily Bulletin editorial argues that a bill by Sen. Bob Huff that would allow school districts to train nonmedical school employees to administer epilepsy medication to students in emergencies “is a matter of common sense.” Huff introduced similar legislation last year, but the bill was blocked in the Senate Appropriations Committee because of opposition from the California Teachers Association and the California Nurses Association. Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.
Recent Funding Losses Hitting Long-Term Care Ombudsman Services
In 2008, Ombudsman Services of Northern California lost nearly half its funding to state budget cuts. Such funding losses have put strain on local ombudsman programs that investigate complaints against nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. Vallejo Times-Herald.
Insurers Offering Alternatives to Long-Term Care Insurance
Some insurance companies are introducing expanded life insurance policies that allow members to draw down funds if they become terminally or chronically ill. Such policies generally are less expensive — but also less generous — than traditional long-term care insurance plans. Wall Street Journal.