Latest California Healthline Stories
Wilson Urges Changes to Federal Funding Formulas
Former Gov. Wilson points to Medi-Cal — California’s Medicaid program — in his argument that rules that establish state funding levels for programs be revised to let state officials decide “how much of our state taxes to spend for a particular need, rather than spending what the feds mandate.” Wilson asserts that “the burden of the state’s share of Medi-Cal is causing serious deterioration of important services Californians need and rely on.” Sacramento Bee.
21 Calif. Hospitals Make List of Top-Performing Facilities
HealthGrades’ annual listing of top-performing hospitals in the U.S. includes 21 California facilities this year. The rating is based on the firm’s analysis of 40 million hospital records for 26 procedures and diagnoses from 2006 to 2008. San Mateo County Times.
Obama Set To Announce Plan To Freeze Spending on Domestic Initiatives
Yesterday, administration officials said President Obama will use his State of the Union address to outline a proposal to freeze federal spending on a number of domestic programs. The freeze wouldn’t apply to Medicare, Medicaid or other entitlement programs. New York Times et al.
Some States See Less To Gain From National Health Reform Efforts
Gov. Schwarzenegger has derided the “Cornhusker kickback” that would fully cover the costs of Nebraska’s Medicaid expansion. California and other states that offer generous Medicaid benefits also might have less to gain from national health reform. New York Times‘ “Prescriptions.”
Congressional Democrats Look to Reconciliation To Pass Reform
Senior Democratic aides indicated that congressional Democrats likely would use the budget reconciliation process to approve health care reform legislation. Passing legislation using the reconciliation process requires only 51 votes in the Senate but would limit the issues that the bill could address. AP/San Diego Union-Tribune et al.
UnitedHealthcare, New York Hospitals Battle Over Contract
Some analysts are saying that UnitedHealthcare’s contract dispute with Continuum Health Partners, a consortium of hospitals in New York state, could become more common if health care reform legislation is enacted that increases competition among private insurers. The insurer and the hospitals are negotiating rates and a policy that would cut reimbursements in half if hospitals do not notify the insurer within 24 hours of a member being admitted. New York Times.
$50 Million Donation Heading to Burnham Institute
Today, the Burnham Institute for Medical Research in La Jolla is scheduled to announce a $50 million donation from South Dakota businessman and philanthropist T. Denny Sanford, who gave the institute $20 million in 2007. The donation will help fund research that is ineligible for federal grants. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Health Care Initiatives Nab Funding From Recent Grants
Catholic Healthcare West facilities in the San Francisco Bay Area have awarded about $268,000 to local not-for-profit organizations, while Grossmont Healthcare District in San Diego County donated $100,000 to a local clinic for the uninsured. Meanwhile, grants in other parts of the state went to efforts focused on home health, hospice care and medical education. San Francisco Business Times et al.
Unions Prepare To Fight Governor’s IHSS Cuts, Other Budget Proposals
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s budget proposal would eliminate jobs and reduce wages for workers in the state’s In-Home Supportive Services program. Unions representing IHSS workers and other sectors are likely to mount a campaign against the governor’s plan. Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee.
Editorial Critical of Vote in Calif. Senate on Single-Payer
The California Senate Appropriations Committee’s approval of legislation aimed at creating a single-payer health care system in the state “is appalling on one level and bizarre on another” given the outcome of the Massachusetts Senate special election last week, according to an editorial. Gov. Schwarzenegger has pledged to veto the bill if it is sent to his desk. San Diego Union-Tribune.