Latest California Healthline Stories
Mayor Newsom Vetoes Alcohol Fee; Supervisors OK Tobacco Restriction
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom vetoed a proposed alcohol fee that aimed to cover health costs associated with alcohol misuse. Meanwhile, city lawmakers voted in favor of an expanded restriction on tobacco sales. San Francisco Chronicle, AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Study: Vaccine Preservative Not Associated With Autism
Infants exposed to the highest levels of thimerosal — a mercury-based preservative found in many vaccines — were no more likely to develop autism than other infants, according to a study conducted by CDC researchers and published online in advance of the October issue of Pediatrics. The study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that childhood vaccines do not cause autism. HealthDay/USA Today.
Ventura County Nurses To Pay More in Pension Costs
Ventura County supervisors voted 5-0 to impose a management proposal that increases county nurses’ pension contributions by 3%. The proposal does not include a pay raise and affects more than 500 nurses and psychiatric technicians. Ventura County Star.
Premiums in Medicare Advantage Plans To Decrease Slightly in 2011
CMS has announced that premiums for Medicare Advantage plans will drop by an average of about 1% in 2011. CMS Administrator Donald Berwick said Medicare officials have better negotiating power under the health reform law. New York Times et al.
Bill Would Penalize Insurers for Dropping Child-Only Plans
A bill on Gov. Schwarzenegger’s desk would prevent health insurance companies from offering individual plans in the state for five years should they refuse to offer policies specifically for children’s coverage. Many large insurers have announced plans to stop writing child-only policies despite a provision in the health reform law requiring them to offer coverage to children regardless of pre-existing conditions. “California Watch Blog.”
Blue Shield Foundation Awards Grants To Help Counties Boost Coverage
The philanthropic arm of Blue Shield of California said it would provide $1.9 million to help 12 California counties expand health insurance coverage before provisions of the federal health care reform law take effect in 2014. Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Business Times.
State Agencies Have Limited Resources To Implement Reform Law
Many state agencies tasked with rolling out provisions of the health reform law are concerned that reduced budgets and inadequate staff will affect how much they can accomplish. Even applying for federal grants to assist state groups can prove difficult. Washington Post.
CDC Awards Grants To Bolster Public Health Infrastructure
On Monday, CDC announced $42.5 million in grants to fund 94 new projects designed to strengthen local public health services. Funding for the grants comes from the Prevention and Public Health Fund established under the federal health reform law. As part of the awards, the California Department of Public Health received $2,060,128. Modern Healthcare, Government Health IT.
Sacramento County Task Force Charged 60 People With Alleged IHSS Fraud
Last year, Sacramento County’s Board of Supervisors created a task force to scrutinize the In-Home Supportive Services program. During the past year, the group has filed criminal charges against 60 defendants for alleged fraud in the in-home care program. Sacramento Bee.
CalPERS Expects To Cut Costs by $200M Through Reform Law Program
The pension system said it expects to reduce spending by participating in the health reform law’s early retiree reinsurance program. Federal officials recently approved CalPERS’ application for the program. Sacramento Business Journal, AP/San Diego Union-Tribune.