Latest California Healthline Stories
CMS: Wage Cuts Don’t Disqualify California for Medicaid Stimulus Funds
The Obama administration informed Gov. Schwarzenegger that cuts to the state’s contribution to home health care workers’ wages do not violate a provision of the stimulus package. The governor’s latest budget proposal calls for deeper cuts to the program. Sacramento Bee et al.
Governor, Lawmakers Weighing Options for California Budget
Gov. Schwarzenegger said “devastating” cuts to health care and other state programs will be needed for the state to balance its budget after voters rejected a series of budget-related measures in Tuesday’s special election. Before heading back to budget negotiations yesterday, the governor discussed a waiver for Medi-Cal cuts with HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. San Jose Mercury News et al.
Fresno VA Hospital Breaks Ground on Treatment Center
On Tuesday, the Veterans Affairs Central California Healthcare System started work on building a new mental health outpatient center. The facility will serve veterans with substance abuse problems and mental health issues, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Fresno Bee.
Republicans in Congress Set To Unveil Alternative Health Care Proposals
Both conservative and moderate Republican members of Congress are scheduled to release health care reform legislation intended to counter Democratic lawmakers’ proposals. Neither Republican proposal would require individuals to maintain health insurance. CQ Today et al.
Californians Decisively Reject Budget-Related Ballot Measures
Nearly two-thirds of voters in yesterday’s special election came out against propositions that would have tapped into special accounts for mental health services and early childhood health care and education services. Meanwhile, Gov. Schwarzenegger lobbied for federal support for a proposal to cut state Medi-Cal spending. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Farmers Markets Pop Up at Kaiser Permanente Facilities
Kaiser Permanente has 30 farmers markets at medical facilities in four states. Preston Maring of Kaiser Permanente’s Oakland Medical Center said Kaiser’s focus on preventive medicine matches well with making farm-fresh food more available. Los Angeles Times.
DOJ, California, Others States Join Lawsuits Against Wyeth
The Department of Justice and 16 states — including California — have joined two whistleblower lawsuits against drugmaker Wyeth for allegedly not providing the government discounts to private purchasers, a violation of Medicaid law. HealthLeaders Media.
Columnist: California Reform Efforts ‘Trial Run’ for U.S.
Wall Street Journal columnist Gerald Seib argues that California’s failed health care reform efforts in 2007 and 2008 “represented a kind of trial run for health-care overhaul the president and Congress are about to attempt on the national level, offering useful lessons as well as warning signs about the potholes ahead.” Wall Street Journal‘s “Capital Journal.”
Report Finds Health Data Protection Gaps in California
A new report by privacy expert Deven McGraw published online by the California Healthcare Foundation found significant gaps in the protection of patient information in California despite more stringent federal privacy protections enacted under the federal stimulus package. McGraw said the federal stimulus package provides additional opportunities to close some of those gaps and offered additional recommendations. Modern Healthcare.
Democratic Legislators’ Bill Tackles Comparative Effectiveness Research
A coalition of moderate Democrats in Congress has announced a bill that would create a non-governmental body to oversee comparative effectiveness research. Money allocated to such research in the federal economic stimulus package would partly fund the proposed institute. CQ HealthBeat et al.