Latest California Healthline Stories
Health Care Workers Among Those Required To Take Unpaid Leave
On Thursday, a Sacramento Superior Court judge ruled in favor of the governor’s plan to impose two-day per month furloughs for state employees, including some health care workers. Union leaders have said they will appeal the ruling. Los Angeles Times et al.
Prison Health Receiver’s Office Violated State Regulations, Audit Finds
A new report from the Bureau of State Audits charges the California prison health care receiver’s office with violating state laws and regulations when awarding more than $28 billion in technology contracts in 2007 and 2008. Sacramento Bee, AP/San Jose Mercury News.
Sutter Health To Close Three Retail Clinics Next Month
On Wednesday, Sutter Health announced that it will close three of its Rite Aid clinics next month. The three clinics that are closing did not attract enough patients to sustain operations, according to Sutter Express Care Director Pete Dzwilewski. Sutter’s three other retail clinics will remain open and possibly expand services. Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Business Journal.
WellPoint Reports 26% Decrease in Net Income
WellPoint reported a 2008 net income of $2.49 billion, down 26% from 2007. WellPoint said mass corporate layoffs and investment losses contributed to the health plan’s decrease in income. Still, WellPoint CEO Angela Brady said the health insurer is well-positioned for 2009. Indianapolis Star.
U.S. Senate Slated To Greenlight Expansion of Kids’ Health Insurance
The State Children’s Health Insurance Program would be expanded to provide coverage to an additional four million children nationwide under legislation the Senate is poised to approve today. An increase in federal tobacco taxes would fund the expansion. Washington Post et al.
California Board Eyes ‘Use Taxes’ From Health Providers, Businesses
The California State Board of Equalization is calling on health care providers and businesses to voluntarily register with the state and pay a “use tax” on purchases from out of state vendors. California’s use tax is the same percentage as its sales tax. Capitol Weekly.
Online Almanac Details Health Care Data for California
The California HealthCare Foundation has launched a new almanac that it describes as “an online clearinghouse for key data on and analysis of California’s health care marketplace.” The almanac offers policymakers, industry decision-makers and the media access to objective data on a variety of state health care issues, as well as many CHCF reports. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Health Foundations To Invest More in Minority Areas
The California Endowment, the UniHealth Foundation and the California Wellness Foundation are among 10 of the state’s largest foundations that have agreed to provide an additional $30 million over the next three years to not-for-profits in minority areas. Nearly a year ago, Assembly member Joe Coto agreed to drop legislation that would have required foundations to disclose their ethnic composition and grants awarded to minority groups if the foundations agreed to expand investments in minority areas. Sacramento Bee.
Economic Stimulus Plan Clears U.S. House Without GOP Support
The stimulus package has about $153.2 billion in new funds for health care, including about $11 billion that House Democratic staff say would flow to California for Medi-Cal. The two-year, $819 million package also would provide funds to expand health insurance benefits for the unemployed and efforts to boost adoption of health information technology. Washington Post et al.
Report Finds Big Jump in Surgeries Performed at Free-Standing Centers
The number of surgeries and other procedures being done at free-standing surgery centers has tripled since 1996, according to statistics from CDC. The report said that improvements in anesthesia and pain management have facilitated the move toward outpatient surgery. USA Today, Bloomberg/Boston Globe.