Latest California Healthline Stories
State Found Problems at L.A. Hospital in 2004
Early in August, federal and Los Angeles officials announced charges against City of Angels Medical Center in Los Angeles, alleging that the facility had defrauded Medicare and Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program. A 2004 report by state investigators identified problems at the facility but California officials never followed up on the allegations. Los Angeles Times.
Insurance Chief Backs Plan To Rework Safety Net
On Friday, Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner came out in favor of SB x1 27 by Sen. Sam Aanestad to overhaul the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Program in California. Poizner called on the Legislature to address the issue immediately. Department of Insurance release.
California Law Sets Up Process for Spelling Out End-of-Life Care Wishes
Gov. Schwarzenegger has signed legislation that requires health care providers and emergency responders to comply with Physicians Order for Life Sustaining Treatment, a new form that specifies patients’ end-of-life care decisions. Fifteen other states have similar systems. Woodland Daily Democrat.
State Mental Health Chief Defends Proposition 63
In response to an opinion piece by political and policy analyst Rose King, Department of Mental Health Director Steve Mayberg writes that the department is complying with the specifics of the 2004 ballot initiative, noting that King was involved in the drafting of the ballot language. Mayberg writes that DMH will continue to work with stakeholders to streamline the planning process for new mental health services. Sacramento Bee.
Health Care Reform News Around the Nation for August 18
The governor of Massachusetts proposed a new rule that would require businesses to pay more toward employees’ health insurance coverage, while the New York governor pitched a plan to cut Medicaid spending by more than $500 million to avoid a budget deficit.
Groups Tout Program Aimed at Cutting ED Use in California
A five-year pilot program in six California counties has cut hospital EDs costs and reduced inpatient admissions by steering frequent users of hospital emergency departments to more appropriate treatment settings. The pilot program expires next month, but supporters are lobbying the Legislature to enact a similar effort statewide. Fresno Bee.
San Diego-Area Hospitals Fined for Lapses in Care
On Friday, the Department of Public Health announced $25,000 fines against four San Diego-area hospitals for patient care violations under a 2007 law aimed at boosting public pressure on hospitals to improve quality. At least 36 other hospitals have been fined under the law. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Medi-Cal Payment Freeze, Cuts Crippling Facilities
Adult day health care facilities and homes for the developmentally disabled warn that they might not be able to maintain operations if Medi-Cal payments do not resume next month. Meanwhile, pharmacies worry that payment cuts will force independent stores out of business. Ventura County Star.
Three Hospital Chains Reject Settlement With Anthem Blue Cross
The settlement offers almost $12 million to California hospitals left with unpaid bills after Anthem Blue Cross rescinded health insurance policies. Catholic Healthcare West, St. Joseph Health System and Sutter Health will not participate in the deal. Sacramento Business Journal.
Medical Journal Editors File Brief Arguing That Rx Suits Boost Safety
Editors of the New England Journal of Medicine filed a brief in a case that could effectively bar state-level suits over prescription drugs approved by FDA, arguing that such lawsuits are a needed safeguard against misconducts by drugmakers. AP/Orlando Sentinel, Wall Street Journal‘s “Health Blog.”