Latest California Healthline Stories
Hospitals in Ventura County Mull Layoffs, Other Job Cuts
At least five hospitals in Ventura County recently have eliminated some staff positions or scaled back workers’ hours, and layoffs remain under consideration at some facilities. The actions are being traced to lower demand for services, larger economic conditions and concerns about state funding. Ventura County Star.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of January 9, 2009
Natividad Medical Center has selected a top candidate for CEO and is considering a pay increase, and Loma Linda University Heart and Surgical Hospital had its official opening on Tuesday. Meanwhile, South Coast Medical Center’s sale to St. Joseph Health System has not been finalized.
Policy Consultant Disputes Health Care Reform ‘Myths’
In a posting on his blog, “Health Care Policy and Marketplace Review,” Robert Laszewski — president of Health Policy and Strategy Associates, a policy and marketplace consulting firm — argues that despite popular belief, widespread health IT use, increased prevention, outcomes research, pay-for-performance and universal health coverage would not significantly reduce health care costs. “Health Care Policy and Marketplace Review.”
Prison Receiver’s Attorneys Criticize State Over Funding
In a brief filed Thursday with the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, lawyers for California Prison Healthcare Receiver J. Clark Kelso criticized the state’s refusal to provide a $250 million down payment for the construction of seven prison health care facilities. The lawyers contend that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his staff supported the receiver’s plan but abruptly changed their position last summer during a budget standoff. Sacramento Bee.
LAO: Funds From Health Care Accounts Could Help Cover Budget Gap
California’s Legislative Analyst Office says that shifting money from three voter-approved initiatives that help fund health care services could help the state balance the budget. Gov. Schwarzenegger and Republicans had targeted two of the funds already. San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee.
Obama Stumps for Quick Passage of Economic Stimulus Plan
President-elect Barack Obama said that the recession could worsen if Congress does not quickly approve his proposed economic stimulus package, which would increase federal funding for state Medicaid programs. Some Democrats are voicing concerns about elements of the package. Wall Street Journal et al.
Health, Consumer Groups Partner on Ad Campaign
A diverse group of health care and consumer groups — including the American Medical Association, the Service Employees International Union and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America — has collaborated on a new television advertising campaign that urges Congress to include significant health care reform in its economic recovery plan. CongressDaily.
Drug Industry Critic Sidney Wolfe Joins FDA Committee
Sidney Wolfe — head of the health group at Public Citizen, an advocacy group founded by Ralph Nader — has been appointed to a four-year term on FDA’s Drug Safety and Risk Management Committee. The committee plays a central role in advising FDA on drug safety. Wall Street Journal.
San Francisco Hit With Lawsuit Over Health Care Safety Net Efforts
A lawsuit alleges that San Francisco is violating a state law that requires counties to operate health care safety net programs for indigent residents who are ineligible for Medi-Cal. The case is concerned with copayments that San Francisco charges for services. Los Angeles Daily Journal.
U.S. Senate Panel Begins Hearings on Daschle as Secretary of HHS
HHS Secretary designate Tom Daschle is expected to face questions over President-elect Barack Obama’s health care reform plan when he goes before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee today. Daschle also will have to go before the Senate Finance Committee. AP/San Francisco Chronicle et al.