Latest California Healthline Stories
SEIU-UHW Members Delay Walkout at HCA Hospitals
Members of the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West have reached an agreement with a federal mediator to postpone a strike scheduled for Friday at five Hospital Corporation of America facilities. The hospital system and the union are set to resume negotiations on Friday over a disputed contract and policy changes. San Fernando Valley Business Journal et al.
Democrats Unlikely To Act on Governor’s New Budget Plan
On Monday, Gov. Schwarzenegger plans to offer a proposal to reduce California’s $6.1 billion deficit for the current fiscal year. Democratic lawmakers are not expected to act on the governor’s plan, which could include health care cuts. Sacramento Bee.
Movie Group, Health Systems Discuss Nursing Home Switch
Under a proposal that requires final authorization, the Motion Picture and Television Fund would transfer operations of its nursing home and hospital to Providence Health and Services and the UCLA Health System. The plan would let the movie fund retain ownership of the facilities, and the two not-for-profit organizations would staff and manage the facilities while accepting individuals from outside the entertainment industry. Los Angeles Times‘ “Company Town.”
Op-Ed: Challenges Lie Ahead for Medi-Cal Managed Care
The “largest part” of California’s recently approved Medicaid waiver “makes the transition of seniors and people with disabilities from fee-for-service Medi-Cal into managed care mandatory,” Elaine Batchlor — chief medical officer of L.A. Care Health Plan — writes in a Payers & Providers opinion piece. Batchlor writes that three challenges need to be addressed to ensure the “health care needs of this vulnerable population” are met: “finding providers willing to accept Medi-Cal reimbursement;” “the fragmentation of our health care system;” and “proving to seniors and people with disabilities and their advocates that moving into Medi-Cal managed care will ultimately benefit them.” Payers & Providers.
Leapfrog Group Names 20 California Hospitals Among Best in Nation
The Leapfrog Group, an independent health care quality improvement organization, has released its annual top-performing U.S. hospitals list for 2010. Of the 65 facilities to receive the distinction as a top hospital, 20 are located in California. Modern Healthcare et al.
Nurse Practitioners Eyed for Addressing Health Care Gaps
Although 24 states allow nurse practitioners to practice independently, California requires nurse practitioners to work under a physicians’ supervision. Some experts say California might adjust its nurse practitioner regulations because the federal health reform law is expected to expand health care access to millions of uninsured residents and put significant pressure on the state’s health care system. KPBS’ “KPBS News.”
Study: Premium Costs in Job-Based Insurance Up by 41% Since 2003
Premium costs for employer-sponsored family health insurance increased by about 41% from 2003 to 2009, according to a new study from the Commonwealth Fund. The report notes that the health reform law has the potential to slow cost growth. Washington Post.
Court OKs Settlement in Case Against California Nursing Home Chain
The Humboldt County Superior Court has approved a $62.8 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit alleging that Skilled Healthcare did not meet state-mandated staffing requirements. Individuals represented by the suit have until Jan. 5 to file claims. Eureka Times-Standard.
Report: Medicaid Paid for Some Unapproved Drugs
More than one-third of prescription medications paid for by Medicaid in 2008 were not on the National Drug Code Directory’s list of FDA-approved drugs or were listed but lacked an approved application number, according to an audit by HHS’ Office of Inspector General. OIG noted that Medicaid spent $24 billion on prescription drugs in 2008, but $6.2 billion might have gone toward unapproved medications. HealthLeaders Media.
Breast Cancer Screening Program Reopens for Low-Income Californians
California’s Every Woman Counts breast cancer screening program is accepting applications from low-income women ages 40 and older. Eleven months ago, the Schwarzenegger administration suspended the program’s enrollment and raised its eligibility age to cut costs. HealthyCal.