Latest California Healthline Stories
Lawmakers Wary of Brown’s Accelerated Budget Timeline
California legislators are uncertain about the prospects of fast-tracking Gov. Brown’s budget plan. Democrats have expressed concern about Brown’s proposed cuts to social services, while Republicans are skeptical of his planned tax extensions. Sacramento Bee et al.
CDC Report Finds More Work Needed To Fight U.S. Health Disparities
The U.S. could do more to curb health care differences among ethnic, gender and racial groups, according to a CDC report. The report says there is insufficient evidence on the effectiveness of possible solutions to reduce disparities. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” New York Times.
Advocates Seeking Increased Revenue for Health Services
Health care advocacy groups — including Health Access, the California Primary Care Association and the HHS Network — are urging Gov. Brown to boost revenues to prevent deep cuts to health care services proposed in his budget. Elements of Brown’s budget proposal include reductions to the In-Home Supportive Services program and Medi-Cal. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
U.S. Supreme Court Rules on Taxing of Medical Residents
On Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that medical residents who work more than 40 hours weekly must pay Social Security taxes. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that the 40-hour distinction between residents who should be considered students and those who should be considered employees is appropriate. New York Times, Wall Street Journal‘s “Health Blog.”
First 5 Raising Concern Over Brown’s Plan To Shift Prop. 10 Funding
As part of his budget proposal, Gov. Brown called for transferring $1 billion in reserve funds from Proposition 10 to Medi-Cal. California’s First 5 program, which relies on Proposition 10 funding, says it does not have sufficient reserves for the reallocation. California Watch.
Legislative Analyst: Brown’s Plan Shows Promise, Involves Risks
Yesterday, Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor called Gov. Brown’s budget plan a “very good starting point.” However, Taylor raised concern about whether voters would approve proposed extensions of income, sales and vehicle taxes. Sacramento Bee et al.
Study: Paid Family Leave Law Benefiting California Workers
California’s Paid Family Leave Law, which took effect in 2004, has created important economic, social and health benefits for workers in the state, according to a new study by researchers at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, City University of New York and UCLA. The law allows eligible workers to take up to six weeks off and receive 55% of their usual earnings while caring for a new child or a seriously ill family member. Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee.
NYC Medicaid Lawsuit Spreads Concerns About At-Home Care Services
A federal lawsuit alleging New York City overcharged Medicaid by millions of dollars could have implications for in-home care services. The lawsuit alleges that the city improperly approved 24-hour home care for thousands of Medicaid beneficiaries. New York Times.
Thousands of Doctors Look to CalHIPSO for Health IT Help
More than 3,000 primary care providers have enrolled in the California Health Information Partnership and Services Organization, a regional extension center that helps health care providers adopt health information technology. CalHIPSO is the first REC in the country to sign up 3,000 health care providers. The federal government has tasked CalHIPSO with helping 6,187 primary care providers achieve meaningful use of electronic health records by 2014. Healthcare IT News.
NIH Projects Significant Increase in Cancer Costs Between 2010 and 2020
Cancer costs are on pace to increase by 27% in the next decade because of expenditures in new technology and therapies, according to NIH. Research shows a surge in the number of seniors will lead to more cancer diagnoses. CQ HealthBeat, Los Angeles Times‘ “Booster Shots.”