Latest California Healthline Stories
Editorial Urges California To Scale Back IHSS Program
As California legislators weigh Gov. Schwarzenegger’s proposals to cut state funding for In-Home Supportive Services, an editorial urges the state to reduce eligibility for the program to only the “most impaired” Californians rather than eliminate it altogether. Modesto Bee.
California HMO Regulator Warns About Discount Plans
Department of Managed Health Care Cindy Ehnes said consumers should be wary of so-called discount health plans that do not provide actual health care coverage but are intended to provide discounts on medical services. Ehnes said California is one of 21 states taking action against operators of such plans. American Public Media’s “Marketplace.”
U.S. Health Care Grants Set To Deliver More Than $100 Million to California
The Obama administration announced about $975 million in grants last week, including approximately $101 million for California. The grants will fund health information technology efforts and health care work force training grants. San Francisco Business Times.
Group Says Lack of Paid Sick Leave Helped Spread H1N1
The Institute for Women’s Policy Research has released a paper suggesting that H1N1 flu spread through coworkers in part because many private-sector workers do not have paid sick leave. A bill that would have required California employers to provide paid sick leave was introduced last year but failed to make it out of the Legislature. HealthLeaders Media.
Battle Over Fluoridation Embroils Watsonville
Supporters of an effort to add fluoride to Watsonville’s water say that resistance to the effort is resulting in a large number of dental problems in area children, and local health care providers say the problems are getting worse. Los Angeles Times.
Calif. Legislators Push for Health Insurance Overhaul
In separate opinion pieces reacting to Anthem Blue Cross of California’s planned rate hikes, Sen. Mark Leno argues for a state-run, single-payer health care system in California, while Assembly member Dave Jones — a candidate for state insurance commissioner — calls for state regulation of health insurance rate increases. San Francisco Chronicle.
Report Shows Steady Increase in Hospitals’ On-Call Expenses
A consulting firm’s report found that California hospitals paid $1.6 billion for physician on-call coverage in 2008. The report indicates that physician expenses at trauma centers in California have increased by 8% annually since 2001. San Francisco Business Times.
Kaiser Permanente Q4 Grants Total $90 Million, $170 Million for 2009
On Thursday, Oakland-based Kaiser Permanente announced 500 community benefit grants worth $90 million in the fourth quarter of 2009, accounting for more than half of the HMO’s community benefit grants for the year. San Francisco Business Times, Los Angeles Daily News.
Social Networking Web Site To Target Adolescent Health
The UCLA School of Public Health is partnering with the California health insurer Health Net to create a new social networking Web site targeting adolescents enrolled in Medi-Cal or Healthy Families. The platform will contain blogs, instant messaging, video postings and other features designed to encourage teenagers to take advantage of available public health services. Payers & Providers.
Calif. Hospital News Roundup for the Week of Feb. 12, 2010
Adventist Health has signed a deal to build with the Frank R. Howard Foundation to construct a new hospital in Willits, and the Daughters of Charity Health System said it has started exclusive negotiations to acquire Downey Regional Medical Center.