Latest California Healthline Stories
Riverside County Makes Cuts to Mental Health Services
The Riverside County Department of Mental Health has cut $14 million, eliminated 130 positions and shut down at least three clinics due to flattened property tax and declining sales-tax revenue. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Special Election Campaign More Low-Key Than Past Ballot Fights
Gov. Schwarzenegger is stumping for the ballot measures, but the May 19 special election has not triggered the kind of big-money ads that emerged in past campaigns. Groups opposing measures that would tap into special state accounts for mental health services and early childhood health care and education account for a small percentage of funds raised for the election. Los Angeles Times et al.
Nosedive in Investment Income Strikes at Sutter Health’s 2008 Results
Sutter Health’s 2008 net income was 70% below 2007’s figures largely because investment income fell from almost $170 million to $8 million. Sutter said it will continue work on capital projects that already are under way but ease back on others. Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento Bee.
Obama Rolls Out Plan for Electronic Records Project at VA, Pentagon
President Obama said his administration will develop an electronic health record system that will let the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs transfer medical records seamlessly. Obama said the project could be a model for a nationwide EHR system. Washington Post et al.
New Report Shows L.A. County Lagging Others in Select Health Areas
Los Angeles County is faring worse than most other California counties in deaths from diabetes and heart disease and in the number of new HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhea infections, a new state report found. The county fares better than others in lung cancer deaths. Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Daily News.
Questions Linger About L.A. County Services for Homeless
Activists are concerned that Los Angeles County doesn’t have enough supportive housing or other services available for homeless people with mental illnesses. A settlement this week in an alleged patient dumping case drew attention to plans to boost services that have not materialized. Los Angeles Times, KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Board Rejects Union’s Call for New Elections at Kaiser
On Tuesday, the National Labor Relations Board’s regional office denied the National Union of Healthcare Workers’ call for elections at Kaiser Permanente because a current contract is in place with the Service Employees International Union. NUHW was formed in January after SEIU took control of United Healthcare Workers West. Meanwhile, a U.S. District Court judge on Wednesday issued a temporary restraining order against NUHW leaders to return all information, files and property belonging to SEIU. Sacramento Business Journal.
Workers’ Comp Costs Higher in San Jose, Audit Finds
According to an audit released Thursday, workers’ compensation costs are significantly higher in San Jose than in other cities and counties in the state. The audit found that the city’s rate of disability claims was nearly twice that of Santa Clara County and that San Jose’s cost per claim was nearly three times as high as the county’s. San Jose Mercury News.
Schwarzenegger on the Stump for Ballot Measures
This week, Gov. Schwarzenegger traveled the state urging voters to approve budget-related measures in the May 19 special election, including measures to shift funds from special accounts for mental health services and early childhood health care and education. Meanwhile, the Sacramento Bee editorial board endorsed those measures, and the mayor of Berkeley urged voters to reject the budget-related propositions. Los Angeles Daily News et al.
Vandalism Cuts Off Access to 911 Calls, E-Health Records
The vandalism of fiber-optic cables affected operations at hospitals in Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties that rely on electronic health records and 911 calls. AT&T has announced a $100,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the culprits. San Francisco Chronicle.