Latest California Healthline Stories
CalPERS Forum Highlights Complexity of Health Reform
A health care forum CalPERS hosted Tuesday reflected the complexity of health care reform. The forum included physicians, health plans, consumer groups and government officials. Sacramento Bee.
Small Businesses Push the Envelope in Health Benefits for Employees
Some small businesses are taking new approaches to providing health care benefits to workers. For example, some firms are teaming up with hospitals and not-for-profit organizations to offer benefits to workers, although some packages are categorized as traditional health insurance. Wall Street Journal.
Hospitals, Doctors in California Face Off Over Bills on Direct Hiring
The California Hospital Association and the California Medical Association are poised to do battle over legislation that would let hospitals directly hire doctors. CHA is championing the legislation as a top priority this year, while CMA has said it will go all out to block the measures. HealthLeaders Media.
Seven California Counties Push Challenge to Medicare Pay Rates
Seven California counties Medicare classified as “rural” have taken their challenge of the payment designation to a federal appeals court in San Francisco. The counties argue that the classification has resulted in doctor shortages because physicians are more likely to practice in neighboring counties with higher reimbursement rates. Santa Cruz Sentinel.
CalPERS Resolution on Eli Lilly Winning Support
Four proxy advisory services have endorsed a CalPERS proposal that would let shareholders of drugmaker Eli Lilly vote to change the company’s bylaws. The proposal will come up at Eli Lilly’s annual meeting on April 20. Sacramento Business Journal.
Medical Board Considers Rule on Waiting Room Signs
Next month, the California Medical Board is scheduled to consider a proposal that would require doctors to post signs in their waiting rooms providing contact information for the medical board in case patients have complaints. HealthLeaders Media.
California Legislation Would Require Firms To Provide Paid Sick Leave
The California Assembly is considering a bill that would require businesses to provide paid sick leave to their workers. The Assembly approved a similar measure last year. Orange County Register’s “Jan Norman on Small Business.”
UC-San Francisco Moves Up To No. 2 Spot for NIH Funding
On Monday, UC-San Francisco officials announced that the campus receives more research funding from NIH than any other institution except Johns Hopkins University. Last year, UCSF was ranked third. San Francisco Business Times.
Kaiser Hospitals Recognized for Electronic Record Usage
At the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society conference in Chicago last week, 12 Kaiser hospitals in California won awards from the group for their use of electronic health records. Three other facilities received awards. San Francisco Business Times.
Local Groups Targeting Funds for Kids’ Health in East Salinas
The Community Foundation of Monterey County is working with other local organizations to put together a grant application to participate in the California Endowment’s 10-year Building Healthy Communities Initiative. The effort will focus on 10 goals, including universal coverage for children. Monterey County Herald.