Latest California Healthline Stories
Lawmakers Should Preserve OEHHA, Opinion Pieces Say
In two separate opinion pieces, John Balmes — director of the Northern California Center for Occupational and Environmental Health — and Gina Solomon — a physician and senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council — argue the Schwarzenegger administration’s proposal to eliminate the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Sacramento Bee, Los Angeles Times.
Bill Would Let Hospital District Voters Weigh In on Sale of Facilities
A bill by Assembly member Mary Hayashi would tighten state rules on sales of hospital districts’ assets and expand public oversight of such sales. The bill was motivated by ongoing discussions about the future of San Leandro Hospital. Contra Costa Times.
Members of Congress Return To Work on Health Reform Efforts
Senate committees will kick off hearings on health care reform this week, and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee is scheduled to begin marking up legislation by June 16. House lawmakers also will begin talks on health care reform efforts this week. AP/San Francisco Chronicle et al.
California Health Care Personnel News Update for May 2009
El Camino Hospital has turned to genomic medicine veteran Paul Billings to serve as acting director of its new Genomic Medicine Institute. Meanwhile, Genentech executive Susan Desmond-Hellman has been tapped to serve as chancellor of UC-San Francisco.
Health Care Reform Around the Nation for June 1
The New Jersey Legislature sent the governor a bill that would require pharmacists to alert customers when they substitute generic drugs for brand-name medications. Meanwhile, the Texas Senate approved a bill to expand children’s health insurance coverage.
State Fund Requests 15% Workers’ Comp Rate Increase
On Friday, the State Compensation Insurance Fund said it has filed for a 15% mid-year rate increase that would apply to new and renewed policies effective on or after July 1. The rate increase is lower than the 23.7% rate increase recommended by the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau. Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner is expected to make a recommendation after an upcoming public hearing on workers’ compensation rate increases. San Francisco Business Times.
California Nursing Home Ombudsman Programs Face Budget Pressures
The elimination of more than $3.8 million from California’s nursing home monitoring program has forced many offices to lay off workers, apply for grants and seek local funding. All 35 offices statewide have secured enough funds to continue providing services. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Latest Round of Budget Cuts Hits Home Care, Other Services
Gov. Schwarzenegger proposed tightening eligibility for the state’s In-Home Supportive Services program and eliminating the Adult Day Health Care Program as part of $2.8 billion in spending cuts that administration officials unveiled Friday. Senior advocates say the cuts could send more Californians to nursing homes, canceling out the state’s expected savings. Los Angeles Times et al.
Recession Forces HIV/AIDS Care Center To Close
Vital Life Services, an Oakland not-for-profit that provided critical support, case management, mental health counseling and other resources to low-income and homeless patients with HIV and AIDS, has shut down because of a lack of funding. Oakland Tribune.
Calaveras County Dental Network Aims To Serve Kids
This month, leaders of social service agencies in Calaveras County are launching a new dental care network to provide low-income children with necessary dental treatment. The Calaveras Dental Network will raise private donations to fund treatment for children whose families cannot afford it and recruit dentists by agreeing to send them no more than a certain number of cases. Stockton Record.