Latest California Healthline Stories
Nation: State’s Public Pensions May Face SEC Investigation
California’s public employee pension accounts — CalPERS, CalSTRS and the UC retirement system — might face a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation into whether the state misled investors through legislation that affected the pensions’ funds, former Assembly member Joe Nation writes in a San Francisco Chronicle opinion piece. Citing a recent case involving pension funds in New Jersey, Nation, who is currently a professor of public policy at Stanford University, writes that California could face similar fraud charges. San Francisco Chronicle.
Sutter Health Collaborating With Mobile Phone Program
Sutter Health is working with the mobile phone application iTriage to provide patients with information about nearby hospitals and physicians in its network. The program, which is available for download at no cost, provides information about a physician’s certification, hours, referral networks and accepted health plans. The application eventually aims to provide data on health care providers’ patient satisfaction ratings, quality of care scores and appointment wait times. Sacramento Bee, HealthLeaders Media.
Minnesota Gov. Limits Access to Federal Funds Through Health Reform
Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has signed an executive order stopping state officials from seeking federal health reform funding for certain projects and grants. The order will last until Pawlenty’s term expires at the end of this year. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
California Legislators Fail To Pass Budget Plan by End of Regular Session
Neither the Republican nor the Democratic budget proposals obtained enough votes to move forward on the final day of California’s legislative session. Legislative leaders are expected to reconvene for more budget talks in the coming days. Sacramento Bee et al.
Health Care Bills Meet Different Fates on Final Day of Legislative Action
The Legislature has sent the governor a bill requiring insurers to provide 60 days’ notice before increasing premiums. A measure that would have required insurers to obtain state approval before raising rates failed to garner enough votes to pass. Los Angeles Times et al.
L.A. Hospital Overcrowding Worse; Funding Jeopardized
Overcrowding reached “dangerous” levels for eight hours every day in July at the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, worse than the roughly four hours of “dangerous” overcrowding daily throughout June, according to a report by the Department of Health Care Services. Federal officials are investigating reports of long wait times at the facility and are considering halting Medicare payment. Los Angeles Times.
Premiums for Safety-Net Health Plans Rise With State Approval
State regulators are permitting insurers to raise maximum premiums for Californians with safety-net health insurance. The change comes after the state developed a new uniform calculation to set rate limits for safety-net coverage. Los Angeles Times.
Calif. Workers’ Compensation Premiums Up From Last Year
California employers are paying an average of $2.47 for every $100 of payroll to cover workers’ compensation policies written this year, according to a report released last week by the Workers’ Compensation Rating Bureau of California. The rate is about 5% higher than last year’s average workers’ compensation premiums, according to the report. Sacramento Business Journal.
Department of Justice Appeals Judge’s Ruling on Stem Cell Research
Obama administration officials have asked a federal judge to lift a temporary ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, saying that it could jeopardize millions of dollars for such research and prevent scientific breakthroughs. Washington Post’s “The Checkup” et al.
Voters Approve Tax To Keep Afloat Modoc Medical Center
On Tuesday, Modoc County voters approved a $195 annual parcel tax to fund the Modoc Medical Center, the county’s sole medical facility, which had been struggling financially. Voters also approved a measure to create a group to oversee operations of the hospital. AP/San Diego Union-Tribune.