Latest California Healthline Stories
Fresno Not-for-Profit Aims To Curb HIV/AIDS Disparity
A Fresno not-for-profit, called Helping Our Own Destiny, plans to launch a database to track black teens as part of a new campaign aimed at reducing HIV and AIDS cases. Jena Adams of the Fresno County Department of Public Health said about 6% of the county’s population is black, but that group makes up 20% of AIDS cases and 14% of HIV cases. Fresno Bee.
CalPERS Board Reelects President, Vice President
On Thursday, Rob Feckner was unanimously reelected to his fifth term as CalPERS president. Meanwhile, George Diehr was reelected to his second term as vice president of CalPERS. Sacramento Business Journal.
Governor Set To Sign Budget Package; Campaigns Gearing Up
Gov. Schwarzenegger plans to sign a budget package this morning. Advocacy groups are preparing campaigns to oppose initiatives that will shift money away from special funds for mental health services and early childhood health care and education programs. Los Angeles Times et al.
Provisions of Stimulus Package Studied for Health Care Implications
The economic stimulus package that President Obama signed this week will provide more federal funds for health insurance for unemployed people, comparative effectiveness research and other efforts. Health care stakeholders are raising concerns about what effects the funds will have. USA Today et al.
California Cities To Receive Grants for Homeless Services
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced $1.5 billion in nationwide grants for homeless services, including health care, mental health counseling and substance abuse treatment. San Francisco is set to receive $19.8 million, San Diego County will receive about $15 million and Oakland will receive $20.2 million. San Francisco Chronicle, San Diego Union-Tribune.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation Sues State Health Department
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation has filed a lawsuit against the California Department of Health Care Services alleging that the agency did not comply with federal and state laws during its contracting process for the provision of health care services for Medi-Cal recipients with AIDS. CBS2.
California Payments to Counties on Hold While Numbers Crunched
The Legislature’s approval of a budget deal yesterday did not prompt state Controller John Chiang to automatically release payments to counties for mental health and other social services programs. First, state officials must review the budget and develop a plan. Sacramento Bee, Stockton Record.
Santa Cruz Doctors Get Lower Medicare Reimbursements
Santa Cruz County’s designation as a rural county has led to a low Medicare reimbursement rate and forced many primary care doctors in the county to stop seeing new Medicare patients. In addition, private health plans’ reimbursement rates also are low in Santa Cruz County because they often base their rates on Medicare’s. Santa Cruz Sentinel.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of February 19, 2009
Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura announced plans to eliminate staff positions and outsource some business functions. Meanwhile, officials said that money in the federal economic stimulus package would help fund rebuilding efforts at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center.
Newsom Discusses Health Care on Town Hall Tour
During his eight-city town hall tour, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom touted universal health care as a way to address California’s health care crisis. Newsom is expected to seek the Democratic nomination for governor in 2010. Santa Cruz Sentinel.