Latest California Healthline Stories
Prison Health Receiver Moves Ahead on Plans for Three New Facilities
The court-appointed official charged with improving California’s prison health care system has signed documents that commit the state to spending $2.5 billion on three new health care and mental health facilities for inmates. Ventura County Star, Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
White House Reiterates Veto Pledge on Medicare Bill; Cites Insurer Cuts
President Bush opposes the bill because it would reduce government payments to Medicare Advantage plans to provide funds to avoid a more than 10% pay cut to doctors participating in Medicare. The Senate and House passed the measure with veto-proof margins. Los Angeles Times et al.
UC Asks State Board for Help Curbing Planned Strike
UC officials are asking the Californian Public Employment Relations Board to seek a court order to block a strike by hospital workers represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. The strike is scheduled for July 14. East Bay Business Times.
Private Hospitals Join S.F. Universal Health Access Effort
Officials said some of the 25,000 people currently enrolled in San Francisco’s universal health access program will be sent to private, not-for-profit hospitals to ease some of the stress on San Francisco General Hospital. Negotiations to bring Kaiser Permanente into the program are underway. San Francisco Chronicle.