Latest California Healthline Stories
Poll Finds High Support for Obama, Hesitation for Plans
U.S. residents have more confidence in President Obama than in some of his initiatives, such as the recently enacted economic stimulus plan and a proposal to raise taxes in order to expand health care coverage, according to a recent Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll. Wall Street Journal.
SEIU-UHW Sues Rosselli, Other Former Local Leaders
On Tuesday, trustees of Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West filed a lawsuit against Sal Rosselli and other former leaders of the local for allegedly trying to sabotage UHW’s representation of its membership. In January, SEIU took control of the 140,000-member local. Sacramento Business Journal.
Pleasanton Clinic Wins $1.3M Economic Stimulus Grant
Axis Community Health, a Pleasanton-based community mental health, substance abuse and health education agency, has received a $1.3 million grant as a “new access point” health center under the economic stimulus package. The clinic is one of 12 community health centers in the state and 126 nationwide to qualify for such a grant. San Francisco Business Times.
Administration Officials Defend Health Care, Other Budget Provisions
At a Tuesday House Budget Committee hearing, Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag and Department of Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner defended health care and other provisions included in President Obama’s $3.6 trillion fiscal year 2010 budget proposal. Washington Post et al.
Field Poll Finds Early Support for Budget Initiatives on Ballot
A field poll released today found that likely voters in the May 19 special election back six ballot measures necessary to complete the budget lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently approved. Two of the measures would shift health care funding. Despite support for the ballot initiatives, voters overwhelmingly are dissatisfied with the state budget. San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee.
Closure of Los Gatos Hospital Will Leave Service Gap
The temporary closure of Los Gatos Community Hospital on April 10 will leave a hospital service gap in Santa Clara County for at least three months, according to a new report. The service gap could put more pressure on overcrowded emergency departments and increase waits for hospital beds in the region. The not-for-profit El Camino Hospital will purchase the hospital and plans to resume service as early as this summer. San Jose Mercury News.
Physicians Increasingly Require Patients To Pay Fees at Time of Service
As employers and health insurers continue to shift more costs to consumers, physicians increasingly are requiring patients to pay their portion of health care service fees, which now represent a larger share of doctors’ incomes, up front. Washington Post.
Industry Coalition Unveils EHR Security Framework
On Monday, a coalition of more than 55 health care industry stakeholders, including Kaiser Permanente, McKesson and Cisco Systems, unveiled a common security framework designed to help companies comply with federal and other privacy and security standards for electronic health records and related data. San Francisco Business Times.
El Dorado County To Make Mental Health Service Cuts
Facing a budget gap, El Dorado County’s Mental Health Division will reduce its staff by 10 positions and change the way it provides mental health services. The county is shifting its focus from individual therapy to more drop-in services and group therapy. Sacramento Bee.
Senate GOP Forms Task Forces on Health Care Reform, Other Issues
A health care reform task force, created earlier this year by U.S. Senate Republican leaders, is designed to educate other party members on health care issues and provide alternatives to President Obama’s health care reform proposals. Roll Call.