Latest California Healthline Stories
Hospital Leader Says OSHPD Hindering Economic Revival
The Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, “the single most important agency in guaranteeing hospitals in California are built,” is “stymieing” hospital projects in the state, Jim Lott — executive vice president of the Hospital Association of Southern California — writes in a Payers & Providers opinion piece. Lott writes that OSHPD “takes an average of 15 months” to review hospital construction plans and that its review process “is holding back hospital construction projects worth an estimated $23 billion.” Lott concludes, “These projects would generate about 232,000 jobs, pay $15.6 billion in wages and generate nearly $2 billion in state and local tax revenue.” Payers & Providers.
Public Health Officials Work on Anti-Smoking Campaign
In 2009, the California Department of Public Health awarded a three-year contract to advertising and marketing agency RPA to help with the department’s tobacco control program. RPA recently has decided to focus on three areas in the anti-smoking campaign: education, parrying pro-smoking messages from the tobacco industry and smoking cessation advertisements. New York Times.
UCSF Opens New Training Facility for Health Workers
This week, UC-San Francisco opened a $15.5 million, 22,000 square-foot teaching and learning center that will use simulation technology to train physicians, nurses, pharmacists and dentists. The project received funding support from the California Telemedicine and PRIME-US Education Facilities initiative. San Francisco Business Times.
Officials Say Medi-Cal Cuts Would Not Affect Healthy San Francisco
San Francisco officials say the 55,000 residents enrolled in Healthy San Francisco would see no program changes resulting from Gov. Brown’s proposal to raise Medi-Cal copayments and impose coverage caps. Healthy San Francisco does not receive state funding. New York Times.
Contra Costa County Starts Inquiry Into Hospital Costs
Contra Costa County’s board of supervisors has approved a $390,000 contract with Health Management Associates to study whether the county can continue to support the publicly owned Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and associated facilities. According to Administrator David Twa, the county’s share of operating costs at the hospital hit $60 million last year. The consulting company will release its final report by May 31. Contra Costa Times.
School Health Centers Grow Despite Lack of State Funding
The Los Angeles and Oakland school districts are constructing a combined 25 new health centers despite a lack of state funds. The facilities will be built using voter-approved bond funds, health insurance reimbursement fees and money from philanthropies. California Watch/San Francisco Chronicle.
Blue Shield Expected To Seek Dismissal of Case Against Rating System
Blue Shield of California is expected to ask an Alameda Superior Court judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the California Medical Association over the insurer’s online physician rating system. CMA has said the rating system has serious flaws. California Watch.
Lawsuit Alleges CMS Illegally Denies Care to Chronically Ill, Disabled
The Center for Medicare Advocacy has filed a lawsuit alleging that Medicare illegally denies therapies and other health care services to thousands of U.S. residents with chronic conditions if they fail to meet an improvement standard. Chicago Tribune, The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
U.S. Supreme Court To Review Case on Medi-Cal Payment Cuts
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to review whether California can be sued for cutting Medi-Cal payments to health care providers. Twenty-two states have joined California in appealing the issue to the high court. McClatchy/Sacramento Bee et al.
House Begins Debate on Repealing Reform Law, Prepares for Final Vote
On Tuesday, the House started debate on legislation that would repeal the federal health reform law. A final vote on the bill is expected Wednesday. House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer said Democrats are willing to work with Republicans to improve upon the law. Politico et al.