Latest California Healthline Stories
CMS Leader Stops in S.F. as Part of ‘Listening Sessions’
On Tuesday, CMS Administrator Donald Berwick visited the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco to talk about the health reform law as part of nationwide “listening sessions” he is hosting to hear from local health officials. Berwick is seen as a controversial figure in part because he has expressed support for elements of the United Kingdom’s National Health Service. San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Business Times.
Judge: Kaiser Withheld Wages, Benefits From Workers Who Left SEIU
A judge recently ordered Kaiser Permanente to restore pay raises and benefits to 2,300 workers who voted to switch unions in January. The judge said the workers remained covered under their previous contract until they enacted a new one. Sacramento Business Journal.
Santa Clara County Selects New Ambulance Company
On Tuesday, Santa Clara County supervisors voted to select Arizona-based Rural/Metro as its new ambulance service provider. The five-year contract is valued at about $45 million annually. Rural/Metro will replace American Medical Response — which held the contract for the past seven years — in July 2011. San Jose Mercury News.
Arguments To Start for Multistate Suit Against Health Reform Law
On Thursday, lawyers will begin oral arguments in a multistate lawsuit challenging the health reform law’s individual mandate and expansion of Medicaid. The lawsuit was filed by Florida’s attorney general with the support of 19 other state attorneys general. CQ HealthBeat et al.
Group: U.S., California Medical Schools Make Strides in Ethics Policies
A report card from the American Medical Student Association finds that medical schools across the country have improved in several key areas for ethics and conflict-of-interest policies. Five California-based medical schools received an A grade in the report card. Modern Healthcare et al.
Report Lists Rules That Have Been Implemented Since Passage of Reform
A Congressional Research Service report states that at least 18 regulations have been implemented since the health reform law was passed in March. However, the report says many of the rules were put in place without a sufficient public comment period. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Fresno County Taps Firm To Run Local Psychiatric Clinic
On Tuesday, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a plan to provide Sacramento-based Crestwood Behavioral Health with $3.8 million annually to run the county’s 16-bed psychiatric clinic at University Medical Center. Officials expect the plan to reduce county spending by approximately $754,000 annually. Fresno Bee.
Health Agency Reports Data Breach Affecting 2,550 People
California’s Department of Public Health recently lost a magnetic tape containing data on employees and residents of medical facilities. DPH said it has not received any reports of identity theft resulting from the breach. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now” et al.
Details Kept Off-Limits on New Prison Health Care Contract
The fiscal details of a new contract between the California Prison Health Care Services and Health Net Federal Services are being kept confidential under a state government code. The code stipulates that all service contracts for health care under the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation are exempt from the Public Records Act to protect the competitive nature of contract negotiations. The contract starts Jan. 1, 2011, and is effective for at least three years. Capitol Weekly.
Health Systems Collaborate on Initiative To Improve Care
Six health care delivery systems around the country have announced a new partnership to share data on costs, quality and outcomes for eight medical conditions and treatments. The goal of the initiative is to identify best practices, improve care and lower costs. Health Data Management et al.