Latest California Healthline Stories
Convalescent Home Company Suspected of Medicare Fraud
On Wednesday, federal agents raided the Mission Viejo headquarters of Ensign Group, a national chain of convalescent homes. Company officials said the raid appears to be part of an investigation into suspected Medicare fraud. Orange County Register.
Judge Rejects Veterans’ Bid To Speed Up Disability Claims
On Wednesday, a federal judge ruled that the court did not have the authority to impose quicker deadlines aimed at speeding up the handling of veterans’ disability claims. Vietnams Veterans of America and Veterans of Modern Welfare filed a lawsuit asking that the Department of Veterans Affairs be required to process initial disability claims within 90 days and resolve appeals within 180 days. AP/Washington Post.
California Democrats Aim To Pass Budget Plan Without Republicans
While stressing their commitment to bipartisanship, Democratic legislative leaders put forward a budget plan that would result in higher taxes and fees to close the state budget gap. The proposal would cut spending for schools, health care and other programs. Meanwhile, the state halted financing for more than 2,000 infrastructure projects, including hospitals. Los Angeles Times et al.
CalPERS Names Stausboll as New Chief Executive
On Wednesday, CalPERS named Anne Stausboll, a lawyer and top CalPERS executive since 2004, as its new CEO. CalPERS manages health and pension benefits for 1.6 million California public employees, retirees and their families. Over the last 18 months, the pension fund has seen a 26% drop in the value of its investments. Los Angeles Times et al.
Stark: Vote on Health Care Reform Might Not Come Early in 2009
California Rep. Pete Stark said that Congress could wait to vote on legislation to overhaul the health care system until late in 2009 or 2010. Stark said that lawmakers first will have to direct their attention to smaller-scale health care matters and other “deferred maintenance” issues. The Hill et al.
Four California Counties Take Action on Health Care Issues This Week
El Dorado County approved staffing cuts to its health services department, and Fresno County signed off on a trial for a needle-exchange program. Meanwhile, Sonoma County OK’d a plan to require a law enforcement union to pay more toward health benefits. Sacramento Bee et al.
Kaiser To Use RWJF Grant To Create Genetic BioBank
Kaiser Permanente has received an $8.6 million Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant to create a biobank of genetic, environmental and health data that could be used to study genetic and environmental factors in certain diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer’s and heart disease. The database could store up to 500,000 DNA samples by 2012. San Francisco Business Times, Contra Costa Times.
California Board Drops Plans to Freeze Healthy Families Enrollment
A grant from California’s First 5 Commission will cover 96% of Healthy Families’ budget deficit for the current fiscal year, allowing enrollment to continue. The state board that administers the program was set to vote on an enrollment cap at its meeting yesterday. Ventura County Star et al.
Medicare Posts New Nursing Home Quality Ratings on Internet
Data for the ratings come from state inspection reports, and overall ratings will focus largely on staffing and facilities’ performance on 10 quality measures. Nursing home officials have criticized the effort, arguing that state inspection data will not provide an accurate view of care. USA Today et al.
Grassley Mulls Bill on Not-for-Profit Hospitals’ Charity Care
Senate Finance Committee ranking member Chuck Grassley is considering proposing early next year legislation that would hold not-for-profit hospitals more accountable for the tax exemptions they receive, according to his aides. Grassley aides say the bill would require not-for-profit hospitals to spend a minimum amount on charity care and set limits on executive compensation and conflicts of interest. Wall Street Journal.