Latest California Healthline Stories
Placer County Unveils Plan for Mental Health Services
Placer County has released for public review a plan for mental health services in the county. The plan calls for using state Mental Health Service Act funds to support mental health service providers and to invest in a billing and electronic health record system. Sacramento Bee.
Data Shows Slowdown in Hiring at Hospitals in 2009
Data from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that hospitals nationwide added 300 jobs last month, down from 16,800 jobs in May 2008 and 8,700 jobs in May 2007. Hospitals have added 11,500 jobs in the first five months of 2009, down from 60,600 last year. HealthLeaders Media.
Sacramento County EDs Trace Delays to Psychiatric Patients
Patients with mental health issues were forced to seek care at local hospital emergency departments during the repeated closing of Sacramento County’s mental hospital to new patients. Physicians say the large number of mental health patients makes it difficult to provide other emergency care. Sacramento Bee.
Assembly Approves Bill on Medi-Cal Reimbursement
The Assembly recently unanimously approved a bill (AB 1445) that would allow federally qualified health clinics in California to receive Medi-Cal reimbursements for two health care visits on the same day at the same location. The bill by Assembly member Wesley Chesbro now goes to the Senate for consideration. Eureka Times Standard.
Workers’ Comp Insurance Rates Set To Increase
Over the past two months, several insurers have told the state they plan to raise workers’ compensation insurance rates by 10% to 33.9%. The rate increases are blamed largely on rising medical costs. Meanwhile, the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau today will present its case for increasing a statewide benchmark for insurance rates by 23.7% — the largest increase in 30 years. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Key Senate Committee Shopping Around Draft Health Reform Proposal
The Senate HELP Committee’s draft proposal calls for a public plan and would require businesses to contribute to the cost of employees’ health benefits, ideas that have drawn significant opposition. Sen. Edward Kennedy chairs the committee. New York Times et al.
Health Care Reform Update From the Capitol for the Week of June 8
Reports indicate that stakeholder groups are closing in on a consensus for reform legislation, but questions remain. Last week, members of Congress continued work on their proposals, and a number of interest groups kicked off campaigns aimed at influencing the public debate.
Obama Expected To Step Up Involvement in Push for Health Care Reform
On Saturday, President Obama restated his call for Congress to approve health care reform legislation before the August recess. Administration officials said Obama will become more involved in the push for health care reform and will interact more with congressional leaders crafting legislation. AP/San Diego Union-Tribune et al.
Budget Ax Looming Over Calif. Elderly, Child Health Programs
Health care advocates are expressing concern over Gov. Schwarzenegger’s proposed cuts to Healthy Families, the Adult Day Health Care program, In-Home Support Services and other programs. They predict that the cuts ultimately will cost the state more in nursing home care and lead to hospitals treating more patients without being reimbursed. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Hospitals Sue CalOptima, Pacific Health Over Unpaid Medi-Cal Claims
Eight southern California hospitals are filing a lawsuit against CalOptima, Orange County’s Medi-Cal managed care plan, and Pacific Health for not paying more than $1.2 million for Medi-Cal services. The hospitals also are seeking interest and attorneys’ fees. Orange County Register‘s “Healthy Living.”