Latest California Healthline Stories
Nursing Home Company Reaches Deal To Settle Discrimination Charges
Under a settlement with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Skilled Healthcare Group will pay up to $450,000 to resolve allegations that the long-term care firm told Hispanic workers not to speak Spanish. The firm denied any wrongdoing. Los Angeles Times.
Riverside County Makes Local First 5 Commission a County Department
The board that administers Riverside County’s Frist 5 program for early childhood health care and education services has been restructured as a county agency to resolve concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Cost Overruns Plague Sacramento County Deal for Health Care Claims
Last year, Sacramento County contracted with a third-party claims administrator to manage medical services for uninsured, low-income residents and county jail inmates, but the contract is poised to exceed its spending cap by millions of dollars. Sacramento Bee.
Oral Cancer Treatment More Expensive for Consumers
Pills and capsules are becoming increasingly popular in cancer treatment. Despite the convenience, the oral drugs typically are more expensive for consumers because they are covered by prescription drug plans, which tend to be less generous than medical benefits. New York Times.
President Ties Health Care Reform to Economic Recovery
President Obama rallied for action on health care and four other “pillars” as part of an effort to strengthen the American economy. The president said an overhaul of Medicare and other entitlements would have to be part of the conversation, sparking criticism that he has not taken an active stance on the politically contentious issue. New York Times et al.
Republican House Panel Members Fault States’ Use of Medicaid Funds
A group of Republican House Oversight and Government Reform Committee members led by Calif. Rep. Darrell Issa maintain that states could use Medicaid funding from the federal stimulus package for other budget needs. Politico, CongressDaily.
Schwarzenegger, Brown Stump for Ballot Measures
On Tuesday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown were in Alameda to campaign for the ballot measures up for vote in the May 19 special election. Contra Costa Times.
Higher Hospital, Rx Drug Prices Run Counter to Other Economic Trends
Some market watchers say hospitals and drugmakers are raising prices in hopes of driving up their charges before they have to negotiate with payers on new discounts. These kinds of price increases can drive up out-of-pocket costs, as well as health insurance premiums and copayments. Wall Street Journal.
Irvine To Provide $170,000 to Adult Day Health Services
Irvine city officials have agreed to provide Irvine Adult Day Health Services with $170,000 to help keep the organization afloat through December. Adult Day provides a variety of outreach services to seniors and disabled adults, including physical, occupational and speech therapy, nursing and health assistance. Orange County Register.
San Diego Pushes Unions for Concessions on Benefits
The San Diego City Council voted to impose contracts that cut compensation and benefits on two unions that represent city workers after Mayor Jerry Sanders’ negotiations with the unions deadlocked. The mayor reached agreements with three other unions, although retiree health care benefits were a big stumbling block in the negotiations. San Diego Union-Tribune.