Latest California Healthline Stories
Assembly Member Argues for New Nursing Degree
Assembly member Pedro Nava says that California would be better equipped to address the scarcity of nurses if his AB 867 becomes law. The measure would allow the California State University system to offer a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, a move Nava says would provide more nurse educators. San Luis Obispo Tribune.
Hospitals Divided Over Fee Plan To Boost Federal Medicaid Funds
AB 1383 by Assembly member Dave Jones would require hospitals to pay fees and would use the revenue to secure higher federal Medicaid reimbursements. Hospitals that serve a large percentage of Medi-Cal beneficiaries support the measure, while other hospital operators oppose it because they say the fees would adversely affect their facilities. San Diego Union-Tribune, Los Angeles Times.
13 States Expand Children’s Health Insurance Coverage
Thirteen states have expanded their versions of the Children’s Health Insurance Program this year, winning praise from the Obama administration. Conversely, California has frozen enrollment in its version of CHIP. New York Times.
CBO Says Plans Don’t Do Enough To Control Health Care Spending
In testimony before the Senate Budget Committee yesterday, Congressional Budget Office Director Douglas Elmendorf said that health care reform proposals under consideration do not include sufficient changes to curb increases to health care spending. Washington Post et al.
Two House Committees OK Health Reform Legislation
The House Ways and Means and Education and Labor committees have approved their portions of health care reform legislation that includes a government-administered health plan and tax increases on high-income Americans. House leaders hope to approve the plan before adjourning for the August recess. Bloomberg, AP/Washington Post.
California Fines Kaiser Over Breach of Octuplets’ Records
On Thursday, the California Department of Public Health announced a $187,500 fine against Kaiser Permanente’s Bellflower hospital after an investigation found that employees improperly accessed the medical records of octuplets born at the facility in January. Kaiser was fined $250,000 for the breach of the mother’s records. Sacramento Business Journal.
Medical Groups in California Report Strong Performances
Late Wednesday, the California Association of Physician Groups announced that 64 of 85 physician groups that participated in its voluntary “Standards of Excellence” survey received the equivalent of an A or B grade. The physician groups self-report the information and CAPG tabulates the scores. San Francisco Business Times.
New Bill Would Tighten Regulations on Medical Peer Review System
Sens. Sam Aanestad and Gloria Negrete McLeod have combined their earlier bills into new legislation that would reform California’s physician peer evaluation system. The measure is tied to a similar Assembly bill. Chico Enterprise-Record.
Advocacy Group Sues L.A. County Over HIV Outbreak
On Thursday, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation filed a petition in Los Angeles County Superior Court seeking to require the county health department to enforce rules that require condoms to be used in adult films or take other steps to stop the spread of HIV in the adult entertainment industry. The move comes after recent reports of an HIV outbreak in the industry. Los Angeles Times.
American Medical Association Comes Out in Favor of House Bill
The American Medical Association yesterday announced its endorsement of the health care reform legislation House Democrats announced earlier this week. President Obama applauded the group’s endorsement. Politico.