Latest California Healthline Stories
Children’s Hospital L.A. Makes U.S. News Top-10 List
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles has been named to U.S. News & World Report‘s “Honor Roll” as one of the nation’s top 10 pediatric hospitals, based on the magazine’s rankings in 10 specialty areas. No hospitals from the San Francisco Bay area were on the list. San Francisco Business Times.
CIRM Approves $40.6M in Stem Cell Research Grants
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the state’s stem cell research funding agency, has approved $40.6 million for 15 research grants, including funding for Stanford University, UC-Berkeley, UC-San Francisco and the J. David Gladstone Institutes. San Francisco Business Times.
Authorities Investigate Redding Facility in ‘Patient-Dumping’ Case
State and federal officials are looking into Mercy Medical Center in Redding for possible violations of a national law that bans hospitals from improperly discharging uninsured patients. CMS and California’s public health department are investigating the case. Redding Searchlight.
House Committees Gear Up To Release Health Care Reform Proposal
Democratic leaders in the House plan to release a plan today that would require individuals to maintain health insurance coverage and businesses to contribute to the cost of workers’ health insurance coverage. The plan is expected to cost more than $1 trillion. CQ Today et al.
Draft Reform Plan From Senate Finance Panel Aims To Reduce Cost
The Senate Finance Committee has released a draft of health care reform legislation after the Congressional Budget Office estimated that an earlier proposal would cost $1.6 trillion over 10 years. The new plan would scale back eligibility for federal subsidies. Washington Post et al.
Employers’ Health Care Costs To Rise 9% in 2010
Health care costs for U.S. businesses are expected to increase by 9% in 2010, slightly down from a 9.2% increase in 2009 and a 9.9% increase in 2008, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers. Sacramento Business Journal.
Proposed Hospital Payment Cuts Would Hit California
An analysis by the Texas Hospital Association indicates that President Obama’s plan to reduce federal payments to hospitals that treat large numbers of uninsured patients would hit California, New York and Texas the hardest. The president’s plan aims to increase health insurance coverage, thereby reducing the need for public funding to cover treatments for the uninsured. Modern Healthcare.
State Releases $30M To Fight Workers’ Compensation Fraud
On Thursday, California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner announced that $30 million in grants to combat workers’ compensation fraud will go to local county district attorneys, about $1 million more than in 2008. San Francisco Business Times et al.
CalPERS Plan To Raise Health Care Premiums Receives Final Approval
Yesterday, CalPERS’ Board of Administration granted final approval for a plan to raise health care premiums for public workers by an average of 2.9%, the lowest rate hike in 14 years. HMO rates are set to rise 3.4%, while PPO rates will increase 3.3%. Sacramento Business Journal.
Same-Sex Partners of Federal Workers Get Some Benefits
On Wednesday, President Obama signed a presidential memorandum that gives same-sex partners of federal workers access to long-term care insurance benefits and paid sick leave to care for domestic partners or children the worker is not related to by blood or adoption. Legislation would be needed to expand access to full health insurance benefits. Washington Post.