Latest California Healthline Stories
Calif. Officials Delay Service Reductions for In-Home Care Program
Yesterday, California’s Department of Social Services told counties that it would push back a Sept. 1 deadline for cutting care in the state’s In-Home Supportive Services program. Officials said they need more time to instruct counties on implementing the cuts. Sacramento Bee.
White House Talks Up Potential for Bipartisan Health Care Legislation
Aiming to dispel talk that Democrats are gearing up to push through health care reform without Republican support, President Obama and other White House officials reiterated the president’s interest in a bipartisan deal. Meanwhile, key Republicans want to scale back reform efforts. CongressDaily et al.
Editorial Sees Optimism in Work To Reopen L.A. Hospital
Although more time without “adequate medical care” will “prolong the suffering” of residents of southern Los Angeles County and approval by the UC system’s Board of Regents “is by no means certain,” a vote by the Board of Supervisors to approve a plan to partner with UC to replace Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Hospital “is a hopeful sign,” an editorial argues. Los Angeles Times.
Kaiser Letter Leaves Central Valley Members Confused
A letter from Kaiser Permanente sent last week to its 253,000 members in its Central Valley Service Area outlining potential cuts to its after-hours care services has created confusion. Members who call the phone number provided in the letter have been told that cuts to the services will take effect Sept. 21 or that the letter was incomplete and should be ignored. Stockton Record.
White House Reinforcing Support for Public Plan After Recent Dust-Ups
The Obama administration is restating its support for including a public option in health care reform legislation after comments by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and President Obama raised concerns among lawmakers and advocates. CongressDaily et al.
Growing Number of Lobbyists Step In to Health Care Debate
With Congress debating health care reform, there are now six health care lobbyists for each member of Congress. A discussion today will focus on the role that lobbyists are playing in the reform debate. WAMU’s “The Diane Rehm Show.”
Regional Immunization Registry Set To Link Up With Statewide Network
A vaccination registry in Riverside and San Bernardino counties soon will allow users to access immunization records from across California. The registry helps health care providers, parents and schools monitor vaccination information for children. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Insurers Kill Measure Aimed at Curbing Workers’ Comp Fraud
Sen. Roderick Wright’s SB 156 originally included a measure that would have required insurers to send notices about medical services billed under workers’ compensation insurance. The insurers persuaded Wright to abandon the proposal because of cost concerns. Los Angeles Times.
Congressional Leaders Seek Information From Insurers
On Monday, Reps. Henry Waxman and Bart Stupak sent a letter to health insurers asking for information about conferences and retreats, executive compensation and other business practices. The letter asks for responses by mid-September. It does not refer to the health care reform debate. Wall Street Journal.
Psychiatric Techs File Lawsuit Over Mandatory Furloughs
On Monday, the California Association of Psychiatric Technicians filed a lawsuit in Sacramento Superior Court over state-imposed furloughs that many of its 7,000 members are unable to take because of staffing issues at the facilities in which they work. The suit seeks pay for hours worked or furloughs in which the technicians actually take time off. Sacramento Business Journal.