Latest California Healthline Stories
San Mateo County Studies Options To Refund Biotech
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors will hold a closed-door session to discuss how to reimburse biotech firm Genentech $20 million. The San Mateo County Superior Court ruled that the county had to reimburse Genentech a portion of its property taxes dating back to 1994 as punishment for a scheduling error in the county’s assessment appeals process. San Mateo County Times.
Hospitals Work To Be Environmentally Friendly
California hospitals are finding it challenging to build facilities that are greener and more environmentally conscious. For example, many energy-saving techniques cannot be used in the medical setting for safety reasons. Despite the obstacles, hospitals are trying to build facilities that use less energy, reduce hazardous waste production and encourage a healthier atmosphere. San Francisco Chronicle.
State’s Physician Diversion Program Ceases Operation
Last week, the California Medical Board’s drug and alcohol diversion program for physicians ended after 27 years of operation. Critics of the program, which failed five audits, said it did not protect the public. However, the California Medical Association argued that the program could be improved. Sacramento Bee.
Effects of McCain Health Care Plan Spark Debate
The use of tax credits included in the health care plan by Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, have prompted health care analysts to question how it will affect the employer and individual and small group markets for health insurance. AP/Houston Chronicle.
Sacramento County Budget Cuts Hit Mental Health Care
A $5 million cut to Sacramento County’s Department of Mental Health’s $210 million budget means that mental health patients will have fewer treatment options. Last year, more than 3,000 mental health patients received longer-term care at the county’s expense. Sacramento Bee.
Delays to State Budget, Medi-Cal Payments Hit Homes for Disabled
Many operators of homes for Californians with developmental disabilities are in debt because of previous budget delays when Medi-Cal payments were withheld. The state’s emergency fund for Medi-Cal providers could run dry as early as July 17. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Health Care Reform News Around the Nation for the Week of July 7
Connecticut aims to expand health insurance coverage to 19,000 adults in the first year of a new state program. Meanwhile, Massachusetts raised the state tobacco tax to help pay for its coverage expansion efforts, and a mental health parity law took effect in North Carolina.
Lawsuits, Legislation Raise Issue of Autism Coverage
Lawsuits seeking class action status in California and bills under consideration in the Legislature underscore the questions that linger over what treatments for autism health plans are required to cover. Los Angeles Daily Journal, Los Angeles Times.
California Dentists Warn That Denti-Cal Cuts Will Take Toll on Kids’ Care
Dentists participating in Medi-Cal’s dental program are subject to the same 10% reimbursement cut as other health care providers participating in Medi-Cal. Some dentists warn that the cut will discourage more health care providers from participating in the program. Sacramento Bee.
California Health Care Personnel News Update for June 2008
The Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC-Davis named Heather Young as its first dean, and Sutter Roseville Medical Center hired a new director of its neonatal intensive care unit. The CEOs at St. Agnes Medical Center and Seton Medical Center announced their resignations.