Latest California Healthline Stories
Poll Finds More Residents Back Restrictions on Abortions
A large majority of California residents still are in favor of abortion rights, but since January 2000, the number of residents who support placing some restrictions on abortions has increased by 8 percentage points to 27%, according to a poll by the Public Policy Institute of California. San Jose Mercury News, Los Angeles Times.
Bill Would Increase Rest Breaks for Lactating Mothers
Assembly member Kevin De Leon has introduced a bill that would require 30-minute work rest breaks for mothers who are breastfeeding and require health plans to cover lactation training and breast pump rentals. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
State Files Suit Over Scheme To Avoid Workers’ Comp
On Wednesday, California Attorney General Jerry Brown filed a lawsuit against Contractors Asset Protection Association in Rancho Santa Fe and its founder-president Eugene Magre for allegedly advising small companies on how to avoid purchasing workers’ compensation insurance by making employees stock-owning corporate officers. Los Angeles Times.
Anaheim Nursing Home Hit With $75,000 Fine
The state has fined Anaheim Crest Nursing Center $75,000 in the case of an elderly resident who choked on a tuna sandwich. For months, the nursing home reported that the man’s death was caused by a heart attack, but a coroner concluded the resident choked to death. The resident only was supposed to receive pureed foods. Orange County Register.
Obama Talks About Medicare, Health Reform in Speech to Congress
In an address to a joint session of Congress, President Obama called for health care reform this year and said that investments in health care and other areas would help fuel economic growth. Sen. John McCain also said he believed that health care reform could be achieved this year. USA Today et al.
Courts Appear Poised To Reject Cuts to Medi-Cal Reimbursement Rates
Judges in two separate cases have sharply criticized California’s arguments in favor of Medi-Cal reimbursement rates. One suit is over 10% cuts to Medi-Cal payments, and another involves a smaller set of cuts set to take effect March 1. Los Angeles Daily Journal.
Enrollment in New Health Care Efforts Lags Expectations
Howard County, Md., is seeing lower-than-expected enrollment in a new program that aims to provide low-cost health insurance coverage to county residents. Enrollment has lagged in a similar effort in Arkansas, and more than 167,000 Massachusetts residents are going without health insurance coverage despite tax penalties. Washington Post.
Health Costs To Top $8,000 per U.S. Resident in 2009
A new government study released Tuesday estimates that health care costs will average more than $8,000 per U.S. resident this year. Robert Blendon, professor of health policy and political analysis at Harvard University, discusses health care reform. WBUR’s “Here and Now.”
Permanente Medical Group CEO Touts E-Health Records
In an opinion piece, Robert Pearl, executive director and CEO of the Permanente Medical Group, argues that the use of electronic health records would improve patients’ care. He concludes, “It’s time to apply to health care the knowledge and tools that have revolutionized and improved other aspects of modern life. We owe it to all Americans.” San Francisco Chronicle.
Tenet Healthcare Posts $33M Fourth-Quarter Loss
Tenet Healthcare reported a 2008 fourth-quarter net loss of $33 million on $2.29 billion in revenue, compared with a 2007 Q4 net loss of $75 million on $2.07 billion in revenue. Dallas Business Journal.