Latest California Healthline Stories
Judge Halts Cuts Made to State Child Care Service in CalWORKS
On Friday, a judge delayed funding cuts to California’s child care program for beneficiaries of CalWORKS. Gov. Schwarzenegger used his line-item veto to remove funds when he signed the budget package. The order halts the cuts for a week. Los Angeles Times et al.
Study: Insurers Raising Medicare Rx Drug Rates Due to Low Repayment
Health plans have raised premium rates for Medicare’s prescription drug benefit in an effort to avoid low reimbursement rates, according to a new Health Affairs study. The study recommends increasing subsidies for coverage of low-income beneficiaries. United Press International.
Editorial: Key Races Could Affect Health Care Reform
A Sacramento Bee editorial writes that “much is at stake for Californians in which candidates get elected as governor, attorney general and insurance commissioner” because the candidates can “take steps to support, improve and implement the new federal health reform law” or “resist, seek to repeal or sit on the sidelines regarding” the law. The editorial discusses how the candidates for each post have positioned themselves in relation to the reform law. Sacramento Bee.
Hospital Group Seeks Leeway on Overhaul’s ACO Provisions
Last week, the Federation of American Hospitals sent a letter to CMS and the Federal Trade Commission requesting information on how to achieve legal leeway under the accountable care organization provisions of the federal health reform law. FAH, which represents almost 1,000 for-profit hospitals, requested flexibility on pricing for all patient populations because it said many health care providers will not invest in creating ACOs strictly for Medicare beneficiaries. National Journal.
Nurse Serving Contra Costa County Jail Dies After Attack
A nurse who worked at the Contra Costa County Jail died on Thursday after she allegedly was attacked by an inmate. Assembly member Mary Hayashi said she will sponsor legislation aimed at strengthening protection of nurses. Vallejo Times-Herald, San Francisco Chronicle.
California Schools Chief Releases Federal Funds for Mental Health Care
On Friday, Jack O’Connell, the state superintendent of public instruction, said that he will continue to allocate funds for mental health services provided to special education students. The governor removed such funding when he signed the budget package. Ventura County Star, KHTS.
Not-for-Profits Receive Grants for Health Care Technologies
Two not-for-profit San Diego organizations have received grants from the Alliance Healthcare Foundation’s 2010 Innovation Initiative competition. Social Interest Solutions won $800,000 to expand One-e-App, an online enrollment system for social services programs. The San Diego Medical Society Foundation received about $242,000 for its Text4baby program that sends text messages containing information about caring for infants. San Diego Business Journal.
First 5 L.A. Contributes $15M To Restore Some Line-Item Vetoes
The First 5 Los Angeles Commission will provide up to $15 million toward a child care subsidy that Gov. Schwarzenegger cut from this year’s budget. Other county First 5 groups are considering similar moves. KPCC’s “KPCC News,” Oakland Tribune.
Medicare Project Aimed at Increasing Efficiency Yields Mixed Results
A five-year Medicare pilot project designed to measure performance in group physician practices has increased quality but failed to generate anticipated cost savings. The health reform law allocated $10 billion for such demonstration projects. Fiscal Times/Kaiser Health News.
Group Blasts Retiree Health Benefits in Thousand Oaks
The Ventura County Taxpayers Association is calling for Thousand Oaks to repeal a 1997 resolution that provides City Council members and qualified family members with lifetime medical benefits after five years of service. Thousand Oaks officials say the program is not widely used and that the city has a long-term plan to fully fund the benefits. Ventura County Star.