Latest California Healthline Stories
Ruling Clouds California Oversight of Physician-Owned Surgery Centers
Last year, a California appeals court concluded that surgery centers owned by doctors should not be licensed by the Department of Public Health. Legal experts say legislation could restore the agency’s authority over licensing of surgery centers. Los Angeles Daily Journal.
Regulation Lets State Trim Healthy Families Enrollment if Needed
A state board has adopted rules that would let it waitlist or drop children from Healthy Families, California’s version of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. The move could become necessary if the program runs short on funding. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Medi-Cal Cuts Could Have Long-Term Effects
“Medi-Cal providers, most notably pharmacists and the patients they serve, will be some of the hardest hit” by the state’s budget cuts, according to an opinion piece by Lynn Rolston, CEO of the California Pharmacists Association. She writes, “What we have is a permanent reduction for all Medi-Cal providers and a short-term budget fix that likely will have long-term effects.” Capitol Weekly.
Blue Shield of California Foundation Awards $12.3M
The Blue Shield of California Foundation has awarded $8.1 million to increase health care access to uninsured residents, $2.8 million to fund domestic violence programs and $1.3 million to improve patient care through the use of technology. San Francisco Business Times.
Public Radio Series Looks at Mental Health Issues
For a special series on mental health issues affecting California and the nation, KPCC public radio featured reports on mental health insurance parity laws, post-traumatic stress disorder and mental illness in children. KPCC.
Senate Passes War Funding Bill With Health Provisions
The Senate yesterday approved a $165 billion war supplemental appropriations bill. The measure would halt Bush administration rules that would cut Medicaid payments to states and blocks the administration from implementing regulations that would limit access to the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. President Bush has threatened to veto the legislation. Washington Post, New York Times.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of May 23, 2008
A San Diego judge ruled in favor of Blue Shield of California in a dispute over the insurer’s payment contract with Alvarado Hospital. Meanwhile, a bankruptcy judge approved the sale of Moreno Valley Community Hospital to Kaiser Foundation Hospitals.