Latest California Healthline Stories
Physician Leader Advocates for Patients, Health Providers
Dev GnanaDev — medical director of Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton and president of the California Medical Association — has created medical programs designed to treat uninsured patients. He also has challenged the Schwarzenegger administration’s efforts to reduce payments to physicians who treat Medi-Cal patients. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of April 3, 2009
Kaiser Permanente opened a new facility in Los Angeles this week, and Mercy Medical Center Merced plans to open its new hospital building in May 2010. Meanwhile, SEIU has ended its agreement to represent workers at Rady Children’s Hospital.
First 5 Officials Mull Effects of Approval of Proposition 1D
First 5 officials in San Joaquin County are developing contingency plans that include significant spending cuts should voters approve Proposition 1D in the May 19 special election. The measure would redistribute tobacco-tax funding allocated for First 5 to the state’s general fund. Meanwhile, the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce announced its support for all six ballot measures. Stockton Record, Sacramento Business Journal.
Stimulus Funds Flow to California Health Facilities
This week, a number of health care facilities in California announced funding that they will receive as part of the federal economic stimulus package President Obama signed in February. The grants are intended to help facilities deal with increased demand for medical services from the uninsured. Fremont Argus et al.
Vote on Sebelius as HHS Secretary Not Expected Until End of April
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius appeared before the Senate Finance Committee yesterday, answering questions about her vision for overseeing HHS and thoughts on health care reform. A confirmation vote likely will not occur until Congress returns from a two-week recess. New York Times et al.
Budget Resolutions Set To Advance; House GOP Offers Alternative Plan
Both chambers of Congress are poised to approve budget resolutions today, but both plans lack details on how to finance health care reform. Meanwhile, House Republicans offered an alternative budget plan that would dramatically overhaul Medicare and limit Medicaid spending. AP/Philadelphia Inquirer et al.
Recession Drives Up Number of Californians Without Insurance
New research from UC-Berkeley shows that about half a million California adults have lost their health insurance coverage since the recession began. The report predicts that without health care reform, the number of uninsured Californians will continue to rise even if employment picks up. San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Business Journal.
Medical Professionals, Others Exempt From Pay Freeze Bill
On Wednesday, an Assembly panel approved a bill (AB 53) that would freeze for two years the salaries of state administrators making more than $150,000 annually. However, the measure would not affect employees covered by collective bargaining contracts, such as medical professionals at state hospitals. Ventura County Star.
CalPERS Pushes for Corporate Governance Changes at Eli Lilly
For the second year in a row, CalPERS has introduced a resolution encouraging Eli Lilly to let shareholders amend the company bylaws through a proxy vote. The pension fund’s shares in Eli Lilly currently are valued at about $100 million. Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento Bee.
California Supreme Court To Rule on Tobacco Lawsuit
On Wednesday, a federal appeals court asked the California Supreme Court to decide whether an individual with previous tobacco-related illnesses can sue tobacco companies within a year after being diagnosed with a new disease. The plaintiff’s lawyer said the court’s decisions will determine whether other Californians with cancer caused by smoking can seek damages against tobacco companies. San Francisco Chronicle.