Latest California Healthline Stories
Wider Background Check Measures Find Nurses With Criminal Records
California’s expanded fingerprinting requirements are credited with helping to identify a number of nurses with criminal records. Meanwhile, an investigation found that many nurses with infractions on their records go on to practice in other states. Los Angeles Times.
Report Sees Major Rise in State, Local Spending for Retiree Health Care
The federal Government Accountability Office estimates that state and local governments’ spending on retiree health care benefits will increase by about 6.7% annually through 2050, rising from $15.8 billion today to $237.3 billion. HealthLeaders Media.
Sacramento County Cuts Retiree Health Care Subsidy
Effective Jan. 1, Sacramento County reduced a monthly subsidy from $244 to $144 for retired county workers. Unions already fighting an earlier decision to eliminate the subsidy for workers who retired after June 1, 2007, could fight the latest reduction, too. Sacramento Bee.
First 5 Results Hard To Size Up for Fresno County Officials
Disagreements have erupted over the success of the First 5 program in Fresno County due to problems officials have faced in measuring the program’s results. Since 1998, the program has spent $140 million on programs aimed at boosting health, education and learning for children ages five and younger. Fresno Bee.
Court Paves the Way for Local Officials To Fight Health Plan Rescissions
A recent appellate court decision could allow local prosecutors to sue health insurers over coverage rescissions and other practices. The decision comes in response to a case that the Los Angeles city attorney filed against Anthem Blue Cross of California. Los Angeles Times.
New Laws Address Mammogram Mishaps, Plastic Surgery Exams
A new state law requires diagnostic centers that offer mammograms to reveal testing errors, while another new law will impose new requirements before patients could undergo elective cosmetic surgery. Torrance Daily Breeze, Sacramento Bee.
California Health Care Personnel News Update for December 2009
Gov. Schwarzenegger has named Ana Matosantos to take over as director of the Department of Finance following the resignation of Michael Genest. Meanwhile, Stanford Medical School has tapped Laurel Price Jones to lead its fundraising efforts.
Riverside County Sees Benefits From Proposition 63
Riverside County has experienced a drop in arrests and school suspensions for participants in a counseling program for at-risk youths. The effort is funded by Proposition 63, a 2004 state income tax increase for high-income Californians earmarked for mental health services. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
State Delays Hamper Adult Day Health Care Services
Adult day health care service providers and some nursing homes are encountering financial challenges because of delays by the state in processing payments and handling other paperwork. State officials attribute the delays to staffing shortages and mandatory furloughs. Contra Costa Times.
U.S. Releases Funds for Healthy Families for Documented Immigrants
The federal government has provided $12.5 million to help with the cost of Healthy Families coverage for documented immigrant children. Until now, California has used state funds exclusively to provide coverage to documented immigrant kids. Sacramento Bee.