Latest California Healthline Stories
L.A. County Braces for Health Cuts as Funding Aid Remains in Limbo
Los Angeles County expected to receive financial assistance from a Medicaid waiver, federal Medicaid funds and a hospital provider fee. Without the funds, the department might lay off staff and scale back the number of patients it serves. Los Angeles Times, NBC Los Angeles.
San Bernardino County Plans New Task Force on HIV/AIDS
Meaghan Ellis — director of nursing and community health for San Bernardino County — will lead a task force to review past and current HIV/AIDS care provided at county clinics. Roughly 700 individuals receive treatment for HIV/AIDS at three county clinics. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Opponents of Overhaul Keep Up Push To Revoke Aspects of Reform Law
GOP Senator Mike Johanns is calling for the removal of a tax-reporting stipulation in the health reform law requiring certain entities to file additional IRS forms. Meanwhile, a new petition asks Congress to vote on repealing the law. The Hill, CQ HealthBeat.
Twenty Hospitals Get Funds To Improve Care Management
The California HealthCare Foundation will provide $280,000 to 20 California hospitals to support enrollment in Project BOOST, a mentoring program from the Society of Hospital Medicine that provides facilities with one year of expert help, project management guidance and other features designed to lower patient readmission rates. The funding will cover roughly half of the program’s cost for each facility. Modern Healthcare.
Anthem Blue Cross Hires New President Following Predecessor’s Departure
Pam Kehaly, a former Aetna executive, has been named president and general manager of Anthem Blue Cross after former president Leslie Margolin resigned last week. Anthem has faced intense criticism this year over proposed rate hikes. Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee.
SEIU Says Rival Union Deal Would Set Poor Precedent
Leaders of the Service Employees International Union Local 721 in Los Angeles are criticizing a contract proposal being voted on by the Engineers and Architects Association union that would have members of the engineers’ union pay higher health care costs. SEIU Local 721 argues that the proposal contains “unprecedented and dangerous” concessions by union members. Health care costs in Los Angeles are expected to grow from $361 million to $514 million across five years, according to budget analysts, and city officials view the contract proposal as one way to rein in costs. Los Angeles Times.
Governor Threatens To Hold Out on Signing State Budget Package
Gov. Schwarzenegger said California might not have a budget until his successor takes over in January, unless lawmakers agree to his proposals. The governor has proposed cuts to Medi-Cal, Healthy Families and other programs. Los Angeles Times et al.
Study Links Medical Devices to Many Pediatric ED Visits
More than 70,000 children and adolescents visit the emergency department annually because of problems linked to medical device injuries or malfunctions, according to a recent study published in the journal Pediatrics. The study found that about one-quarter of the problems were linked to infections or eye abrasions involving contact lenses. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Kaiser, Anthem Show Little Interest in New Federal High-Risk Pool
Two major California insurers said they do not plan to participate in the new high-risk health insurance pool that the state is creating under the federal health reform law. Both insurers already participate in the state’s existing high-risk pool. Sacramento Business Journal.
Bill Would Extend Malpractice Coverage to Volunteers
Last week, the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee unanimously approved a bill intended to draw more physicians to areas that are medically underserved by offering no-cost malpractice coverage to those who volunteer their services at community health centers. However, the legislation is expected to face roadblocks because of previous opposition to similar tort reform measures. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”