Latest California Healthline Stories
Whitman Kicks Off Campaign; Hits on Health-Related Issues
A day after launching her campaign for governor, former EBay CEO Meg Whitman on Tuesday offered her opinions on a variety of issues. Whitman said that schools, hospitals and law enforcement agencies should be required to report undocumented immigrants to federal authorities. Los Angeles Times.
Schwarzenegger Set To Issue Layoff Notices to State Employees
Gov. Schwarzenegger plans to take steps to cut as many as 10,000 staff positions whose salaries come from California’s general fund unless a budget deal is reached by Friday. Workers who administer health care and human services would be among those the layoffs would affect. Sacramento Bee et al.
L.A. County Not on Top of Worker Background Checks
On Tuesday, Los Angeles County officials admitted that they do not know how many of the 2,000 temporary employees working at county hospitals and clinics have not had a criminal background check. The county has suspended the contract for one of its largest providers of temporary health care professionals after the agency placed a convicted rapist at an East Los Angeles clinic. Los Angeles Times.
‘Balance Billing’ Lawsuits Emerge After California Supreme Court Ruling
At least two lawsuits are asking California health care providers to reimburse patients for fees they paid in instances of so-called “balance billing.” Hospitals and emergency physicians worry that the lawsuits could translate to millions of dollars in refunds they have to pay. Los Angeles Daily Journal.
Anthem Blue Cross Settles With California Over Policy Rescissions
Under a $15 million settlement with the state Insurance Department, Anthem Blue Cross must offer coverage to 2,300 members whose policies it rescinded. The Department of Managed Health Care separately settled with Anthem Blue Cross over its rescission of HMO coverage. Los Angeles Times et al.
Senate-Approved Stimulus Bill Less Generous to State
On Tuesday, the Senate approved an economic stimulus bill that is less generous to states than the House version approved last week. Each bill provides about the same amount of Medicaid funding to states, but the funding formula in the House bill favors states with higher unemployment. California would receive $11 billion under the House version and $9.6 billion under the Senate measure. The House bill also includes funds to help recently unemployed residents obtain health insurance. San Jose Mercury News.
South Riverside County Lags in Hospital Bed Ratio
Even after taking into account the new hospitals and expansions planned for South Riverside County, the region’s hospital bed-to-population ratio still will lag behind the state and the country, according to a new report from the county Community Health Agency. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Motion Picture & Television Fund To Close Nursing Home
The Motion Picture & Television Fund is shutting down a hospital and nursing care facility it operates, forcing about 100 residents to relocate. Family members of those residents are angered by news that the fund’s board previously authorized expensive projects, such as new offices and a gym. Los Angeles Times.
Cash Crunches Hit County Health Care, Mental Health Programs
San Diego and Santa Clara counties have approved cuts to their health care and mental health budgets, and the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors is expected to vote on millions of dollars in budget cuts today. The counties all face sizable budget deficits this year. Sacramento Bee et al.
Healthy San Francisco Takes Next Step in Expanding Eligibility
San Francisco residents with incomes of no more than five times the federal poverty level are now eligible for the Healthy San Francisco program, which aims to ensure access to health care for all city residents without health insurance. San Francisco Chronicle.