Latest California Healthline Stories
SEIU-UHW Workers Ratify Contract at HCA Facilities
Ninety percent of members of the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West have voted to approve a contract at five hospitals owned by the Hospital Corporation of America. The pact includes guaranteed raises and employer-provided health insurance. Ventura County Star.
GOP Blocks Move To Add Repeal of 1099 Provision to Tax Cut Legislation
Republicans have blocked a Democratic-led attempt to add to tax cut legislation a repeal of the 1099 tax-reporting provision in the health reform law. The reporting mandate requires businesses and other organizations to file tax forms on purchases above $600. Politico.
Report: Water Agencies Give Substantial Health Benefits
A new survey finds that board members of water agencies in the San Diego area receive health care benefits even though they do not work full time or collect a salary. According to the survey, the insurance packages cost more than $600,000 annually for 69 individuals. A 1993 ruling by the state attorney general said that water board members can receive benefits equivalent to full-time employees because they are on call 24 hours a day. San Diego Union-Tribune‘s “The Watchdog.”
HHS To Issue Definition of ‘Unreasonable’ Health Care Premium Increases
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is expected to provide guidance on what the agency considers an “unreasonable” request for premium rate increases. The move is part of a provision in the health reform law that strengthens state powers to govern rate hikes. CQ HealthBeat.
Los Angeles County Closes Adult Film Industry Clinic
Last week, Los Angeles County public health officials issued a cease-and-desist order to the Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation’s clinic, shutting the facility down to new testing and procedures. The order came two days after state officials denied AIM’s application for a license to operate as a community clinic. AIM officials called the closure a “temporary situation” and said they are moving toward completing a license application. Los Angeles Times, NPR’s “All Things Considered.”
Kaiser Promotes Bernard Tyson to President and COO
Bernard Tyson, executive vice president of Kaiser Permanente, has been named president and chief operating officer of the health system. Tyson will report to George Halvorson, chair and CEO of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
CalPERS: Calif. Residents Already Benefiting From Health Reform
CalPERS recently sent a letter to HHS describing the steps it is taking to implement elements of the federal health reform law, including the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program and an expansion of dependent coverage. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” HHS release.
New Bill Aims To Boost Safety at Mental Health, Correctional Facilities
Last week, Assembly member Mary Hayashi introduced legislation to extend safety requirements to workers at mental hospitals and correctional facilities. The bill comes in response to recent incidents of violence against such workers. Napa Valley Register et al.
Kelso: Prison Health Care Needs Separate Department
California officials “need to spin off prison health care from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation so that health care can receive appropriate attention by a separate organization devoted to health care,” J. Clark Kelso, the state’s federally appointed receiver for prison health care, writes in a Sacramento Bee opinion piece. Kelso adds, “The status quo is unacceptable and unsustainable, and it virtually guarantees continued judicial attention.” Sacramento Bee.
Many Calif. Women Face Challenges in Obtaining Maternity Care Benefits
State law does not require health plans to offer maternity coverage to those who purchase individual insurance policies, leaving many women struggling to obtain maternity care. In 2014, the federal health reform law will require insurers to cover such services. Los Angeles Times.