Latest California Healthline Stories
California Budget Looks To Be on Solid Footing, but Challenges Remain
Unlike last year, it looks like California will make it to at least January without a deficit emerging and requiring immediate legislative action. Nonetheless, the state faces a deficit next year that already is projected to be at least $7.4 billion. San Jose Mercury News.
Health Care Bills on Governor’s Desk Drawing Close Scrutiny
Consumer advocates and the health insurance industry are watching Gov. Schwarzenegger closely as he considers three bills on his desk that would make changes to the individual health insurance market in California. The bills deal with rescissions, coverage of maternity services and so-called “gender rating.” Sacramento Bee.
State Fund Employees Win Back Pay for Furlough Days
On Thursday, a San Francisco Superior Court judge ordered California to pay more than 6,200 employees of the State Compensation Insurance Fund back pay and interest for furlough days that Gov. Schwarzenegger ordered earlier this year. The judge had declared the furloughs illegal earlier this month. Sacramento Business Journal.
Senators Set the Stage for Showdown on Public Option in Reform Bill
Democratic Sens. Jay Rockefeller and Charles Schumer plan to propose amendments to the Senate Finance Committee’s health care reform bill that would establish a public plan. The senators expect the provision to fail in the committee but be re-added in conference with the House. The Hill et al.
Markups Continue on Senate Finance Panel’s Health Care Reform Bill
The Senate Finance Committee rejected an amendment that would have eliminated a provision of the bill that would permit the federal government to determine minimum benefit levels for insurance coverage. The panel will resume markups tomorrow. Reuters et al.
Bill To Freeze Medicare Part B Premiums Sails Through House Vote
Only 18 members of the House of Representatives voted against a bill that would freeze premiums for Medicare Part B, which covers physician services. Without the legislation, about 11 million beneficiaries will see higher premiums in 2010. CQ Today et al.
State Issues Fines to 11 Hospitals for Major Patient Safety Lapses
Yesterday, the California Department of Public Health announced that 11 hospitals had received $25,000 fines for incidents that seriously endangered patients. About half of the cases involved foreign objects left in patients after surgery. Los Angeles Times et al.
Web Site Offers Insights for Health Care Facility Upgrades
A new Web site features case studies, evidence-based design strategies, and advice for community health centers and safety-net clinics as stimulus funds for renovations and the construction of new clinics become available. The Center for Health Design and the California HealthCare Foundation are producing the site. Modern Healthcare.
Hospital Project in Murrietta Sees Hurdles in Reform Bill
The U.S. Senate Finance Committee’s health care reform bill includes a provision that would prevent Medicare from contracting with physician-owned hospitals. Lawmakers and local officials say the provision could derail efforts to open Loma Linda University Medical Center-Murrietta because a group of physicians has an ownership stake in the facility. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
NIH Stimulus Grants Go to UCSF, Stanford Researchers
NIH has announced grants that will fund research aimed at accelerating translational work and advancing scientific research. Seven researchers at UC-San Francisco won awards, and 13 researchers at Stanford won awards. San Francisco Business Times.