Latest California Healthline Stories
Schwarzenegger Orders Pay Cuts, Hiring Freeze To Preserve State Cash
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s order aims to reduce pay for many state workers and lay off about half of the state’s seasonal and temporary workers. Questions remain over which employees will be affected, but health care workers likely will be exempt. Los Angeles Times, San Jose Mercury News.
HIV Epidemic in Tijuana Poses ‘Direct Threat’ to U.S.
HIV prevalence in Tijuana is about three times that of the national average, with about one in 125 adults living with HIV. According to a survey by researchers at the University of California’s Division of International Health and Cross-Cultural Medicine, 64% of 116 HIV-positive Tijuana residents came into the U.S. at least once per month. Washington Post.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of August 1, 2008
Voters in parts of San Diego and Stanislaus counties received ballots this week for measures to help fund the construction of new hospital facilities, and Sutter Health drew criticism for a record cash transfer from Marin General Hospital.
More Preventable Conditions Won’t Be Covered by Medicare
CMS initially had planned to add seven more conditions to its list of preventable conditions that it would not pay hospitals to treat but cut that down to two new conditions after hearing concerns from hospitals. Federal officials are urging states to adopt similar policies in their Medicaid programs. CQ HealthBeat, AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Kaiser Pilot Gives Patients Medical Records on USB Drive
A pilot program at Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center is providing patients with their medical histories on a USB flash drive. If the pilot is successful, Kaiser will expand the service to all of its medical centers in the Northern California area this fall. Contra Costa Times.
House OKs Bill To Extend Medical Leave Coverage for College Students
The legislation would allow college students who take a medical leave of absence to continue to receive coverage under their parents’ health insurance policies. Similar legislation is under consideration in the Senate, but a key Senate panel has not scheduled a vote on it. AP/Boston Globe et al.
Rally in Riverside County Urges Action on Budget, Repeal of Medi-Cal Cuts
Local mayors and the president-elect of the California Medical Association attended the rally, warning that Medi-Cal provider pay cuts and payment delays because of the state budget stalemate could undermine the health care system. Riverside Press-Enterprise, Merced Sun-Star.
Garamendi Becomes First To Announce Bid for Governor
On Thursday, Lt. Gov. John Garamendi (D) became the first candidate to announce his bid for California governor in 2010. Garamendi has said he supports a single-payer universal health care system in the state. Sacramento Bee.