Latest California Healthline Stories
Suit: Former CalPERS CEO Got Gifts From Board Member
The state has filed a lawsuit charging former CalPERS CEO Fred Buenrostro with accepting gifts from former board member Alfred Villalobos in exchange for CalPERS deals that would have favorable results for Villalobos and his clients. Since leaving the CalPERS board in 1995, Villalobos worked as a placement agent, securing pension fund investments for clients. Another CalPERS officer and board member also accepted gifts from Villalobos. The suit seeks $70 million in damages and fines. Sacramento Bee.
Preliminary Healthy People 2010 Results Give U.S. a C-
In the New England Journal of Medicine, Howard Koh, assistant secretary for health, writes that the U.S. has progressed toward 52% of the measurable goals included in Healthy People 2010 and met 19% of the goals. Healthy People 2010 is a governmental assessment of various health indicators. The country’s score is similar to results from previous decades. The official report will be released next spring. Wall Street Journal‘s “Health Blog.”
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of May 7, 2010
Ken Rivers took over as CEO of Southwest Healthcare System this week. Meanwhile, about 22,000 patients at St. Jude Heritage Healthcare in Fullerton have been notified of potential personal health data breaches after five computers were stolen from the facility.
Health Groups File Suits Against State Over Medi-Cal Rate Freeze
The California Association of Health Facilities and the Developmental Services Network filed lawsuits challenging the state’s permanent Medi-Cal rate freeze. The groups argue that the freeze has hindered facilities’ ability to serve low-income Californians with mental and physical disabilities. Ventura County Star, Payers & Providers.
Poll: Few Adults Give U.S. Health System High Grade
Seventy-six percent of adults give the U.S. health system a “C” grade, according to a new survey of 4,000 people from the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions. At the same time, 57% said they were satisfied with their health coverage and 75% of those who had recently received hospital services said they were satisfied. The survey also showed that only 23% of respondents said they understood how the U.S. health system works. Reuters.
County, State Officials Compete for Health Care Funds in Washington
Los Angeles County Supervisors are in Washington, D.C., this week competing with Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg and Assembly Speaker John Pérez to secure federal health care funding. KPCC, KQED’s “California Report.”
Obama Signs Bill To Expand Veterans’ Care, Boost Caregiver Support
Yesterday, President Obama signed into law a bill that expands veterans’ health services and provides assistance to caregivers of veterans. The bill also bolsters health services for female veterans and calls for assessing the unique barriers to care that women face. Washington Post‘s “44,” Time.
Calif. Senate Panel Rejects Bill To Put Health Changes to a Vote
On Wednesday, the Senate Health Committee voted along party lines to defeat a bill by Sen. Tony Strickland that would have required voter approval before any state or federal health care legislation could take effect. Strickland has said that if his bill failed in the Legislature, he would launch an independent initiative to put the issue on a future ballot. AP/Ventura County Star.
Poizner Calls for Probe Into Anthem’s Claims Payment, Data Systems
On Wednesday, Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner said his department will scrutinize accounting and data collection systems used by Anthem Blue Cross. An independent audit found errors in the methodology the insurer used to calculate rate increases. Sacramento Bee et al.
Kaiser Will Give Weight to ‘Green’ Medical Products
Kaiser Permanente will be considering environmental data as one of six factors it uses to choose medical product suppliers. Suppliers hoping to win contracts with Kaiser will have to produce information on the chemical and recycled content of their products, packaging and whether the products are single or multiuse. The five other factors Kaiser weighs when choosing medical products are quality or clinical performance, assurance of supply, cost, service and innovation. San Francisco Business Times.