Latest California Healthline Stories
New Health Workers Union Calls for Decertification Vote
On Monday, the National Union of Healthcare Workers asked state officials to hold elections at 64 health care facilities where Service Employees International Union members can vote to decertify SEIU and join the new union. The National Union of Healthcare Workers was formed last week after SEIU assumed trusteeship of United Healthcare Workers West. Los Angeles Times et al.
Federal Appeals Court Reverses Decision To Release Medicare Data
A 2007 ruling would have required HHS to release Medicare claims data on more than 40 million beneficiaries and 700,000 physicians in several states. A consumer advocacy group sought to post the data online for researchers to identify trends. AP/Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
California Health Care Personnel Update for January 2009
Patricia Clarey, a former chief of staff to Gov. Schwarzenegger, has been appointed to the CalPERS board. Blue Shield of California announced some changes in leadership, and a number of new board members were tapped for the State Compensation Insurance Fund.
Medicare Rx Drug Benefit Insurers Overcharged by Billions, Report Finds
A new report from the HHS Office of Inspector General found that private insurers participating in the Medicare prescription drug benefit overcharged beneficiaries and taxpayers by several billion dollars since the start of the program in 2006. McClatchy/Raleigh News & Observer.
New Health Workers Union Reaches Out to SEIU Foes
The newly formed National Union of Healthcare Workers is seeking alliances with rivals of the Service Employees International Union, such as the California Nurses Association. The National Union of Healthcare Workers was formed last week after SEIU placed United Healthcare Workers-West into trusteeship and removed elected officials from office. Los Angeles Times.
Health Care Reform News Around the Nation for Feb. 2, 2009
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist rejected $90 million in budget cuts in a recently passed state deficit-reduction package and reinstated funds for some health care programs. Meanwhile, the Maine Legislature approved a supplemental budget that includes $34 million in cuts to health care programs.
Medi-Cal Funding Differs by $1.5B in House, Senate Stimulus Bills
The House’s economic stimulus plan allocates $11.1 billion in Medicaid funding for California, while the Senate’s bill would provide about $9.6 billion. The House bill earmarks more funding to states with high unemployment rates, such as California. However, some senators from smaller states argue that the bill is biased to large states. Los Angeles Times.
Editorials Call on State To Fix Prison Health Care System
Two editorials urge state leaders to work with prison medical receiver J. Clark Kelso to fix the prison health care system. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown have asked a federal court to end the federal receivership. Sacramento Bee, Contra Costa Times.
Daschle Confirmation Hearing Delayed by Tax Lapses
The confirmation hearing of HHS Secretary nominee Tom Daschle has been further delayed following Daschle’s public disclosure last week that he recently amended tax returns and paid $128,203 in back taxes and $11,964 in interest. Daschle also earned more than $497,000 for speeches and appearances by a number of groups including health insurers and other groups that have a stake in health care policy. AP/Orlando Sentinel, USA Today.
Stem Cell Board Delays $58M in Stem Cell Research Grants
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine’s governing board decided to delay $58 million in research grants until at least March because of the economy and credit market. The grants, tentatively approved Friday, were earmarked to train researchers at six San Francisco-area facilities. San Francisco Chronicle et al.