Latest California Healthline Stories
Key House Leader Says Markup on Reform Legislation Set for July
House Ways and Means Committee Chair Charles Rangel said his committee will kick off markups of legislation to overhaul the health care system during the week of July 13. He said the plan will not cost more than $1 trillion over 10 years. CQ Today.
State Watchdog Advocates Overhaul of Stem Cell Agency
In a letter to Gov. Schwarzenegger, the Little Hoover Commission stated that the structure of the oversight board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine “is not adequate to protect taxpayers’ interests or serve its own ambitious goals.” CIRM oversees state funds for stem cell research that California voters approved in 2004. San Francisco Business Times et al.
Democrats Push for Revenue, Governor Offers New Proposals
Democratic lawmakers are employing controversial legislative strategies in an effort to push the tax provisions of their budget plan through the Legislature with a simple majority vote. Gov. Schwarzenegger has vowed to veto any such measure. The governor also offered new proposals to reduce state spending by modifying Medi-Cal and In-Home Supportive Services. AP/San Diego Union-Tribune et al.
UCLA Revises Research on Supply of Dentists in Calif.
A technical error in a recent study by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research led to the number of dentists in some areas being underestimated. The study’s general finding — that there is a shortage of dentists in parts of the state — remains true, researchers said. Los Angeles Times.
Medicare Spending Above Average in Silicon Valley
An analysis of Medicare data indicates that Medicare beneficiaries in Silicon Valley spend more time in hospitals during the end of their lives than beneficiaries in most other areas of the U.S. Silicon Valley is second only to the Fresno area for increasing Medicare costs since 2000. San Jose Mercury News.
Senate HELP Committee Suspends Markup Until After July 4 Recess
Sen. Chris Dodd said the committee would aim to finalize its work on the bill by July 10. Dodd, who is leading the group’s work on health reform, said the panel needs the Congressional Budget Office to review proposals for long-term care before it can continue its work on the bill. CQ HealthBeat.
Some California Hospitals Delay Rebuilds, Retrofits
Some California hospitals are seeking financial hardship waivers to delay compliance with state seismic safety requirements. Applications for waivers are due to the state by July 1. Modern Healthcare.
California Fines Nursing Home in Patient Death
State health regulators have issued the most severe citation and the maximum fine of $100,000 to Aviara Healthcare Center in Encinitas after a patient in May died of a preventable fall. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Judge Blocks Wage Cuts for In-Home Supportive Services Workers
Yesterday, a federal judge blocked a plan to cut the state’s contribution to wages for California’s In-Home Supportive Services workers by $2 per hour. State officials plan to appeal the ruling and seek a stay in order to impose the pay cuts as planned on July 1. Sacramento Bee.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of June 26, 2009
San Mateo County supervisors have OK’d job cuts at the county medical center to help address the county budget deficit. Meanwhile, an environmental review of Stanford Hospital’s proposed expansion will be delayed until September.