Latest California Healthline Stories
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of September 5, 2008
Bond measures to help fund hospital construction projects failed in the Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare District and Tri-City Healthcare District. Meanwhile, Century City Doctors Hospital became the latest hospital — and emergency department — in Los Angeles County to close.
Nurses Association Criticizes Hospital Owner’s Tax Appeal
The California Nurses Association criticized Hospital Corporation of America, the owner of two San Jose hospitals, for seeking to reduce its property taxes by $500,000 when Santa Clara County’s multimillion-dollar budget deficit hinders its ability to provide public health services. An HCA spokesperson dismissed the criticism as “a union stunt.” San Jose Mercury News.
Parents Unaware of State’s Family Leave Program
Most parents of children with serious chronic illnesses are unaware of California’s paid family leave program, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. About 18 months after the launch of the program, just 18% of these parents reported being aware of the program and only 5% had used the benefits. United Press International.
Drug Benefit Marketing Materials Do Not Meet Medicare Guidelines
A report by federal auditors found that nearly 85% of the marketing materials used by private prescription drug plans fail to meet Medicare guidelines. CMS officials said that the many of the report’s findings “are not atypical during the initial start-up of a new program.” CQ HealthBeat, AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
CVS Caremark CEO Expects Bid for Longs To Be Approved
On Thursday, CVS Caremark CEO Tom Ryan said he expects Longs Drug Stores shareholders to approve his company’s $2.9 billion offer to purchase Longs despite pressure from some to increase its bid. For the deal to pass, CVS needs to obtain 66% of Longs’ diluted common shares. Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal.