Latest California Healthline Stories
Massachusetts Insurance Law Expands Coverage, Brings Unexpected Costs
Two years after Massachusetts enacted a law requiring most residents to obtain health insurance or pay a penalty, the number of uninsured people in the state is dropping. However, high enrollment has left the state grappling to pay for the program. PBS’ “NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.”
Former UCLA Hospital Employee Indicted for Patient Privacy Breaches
A former UCLA Medical Center employee has been charged with improperly accessing celebrity patients’ medical information and selling it to the media. A spokesperson for the U.S. attorney said other defendants could be charged in the case. Los Angeles Times, AP/Los Angeles Daily News.
Cost of Nursing Home Care Above National Average in Bay Area
A new report found that the average cost of nursing home care in San Francisco is just over $100,000 a year, far above the state average of about $73,000 annually. The report also found that nursing home cost increases in California are above the national average. San Francisco Business Times.
Stanford Begins Construction on New Medical School Site
Last week, the Stanford University School of Medicine broke ground on a new $90 million administrative center that will house the medical school’s education and training programs. The new building is expected to be complete by the spring of 2010. San Francisco Business Times.
HHS Secretary Proposes Deal on Two Medicaid Regulations
On Tuesday, HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said the Bush administration would accept a deal that would postpone for a few months two Medicaid regulations — intergovernmental transfers to public hospitals and graduate medical education funding — while allowing the remaining five regulations to go into effect. Last week, the House overwhelmingly passed a bill to postpone all seven rules for one year, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has fast-tracked the bill in the Senate. CongressDaily.
Schwarzenegger Pledges Second Try on Health Care Overhaul
Gov. Schwarzenegger told the Associated Press that his team is working to address problems in the compromise legislation that he negotiated last year with outgoing Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez but stressed that he would not scale back the plan. The governor said public support for the basics of the plan could pressure lawmakers to act. AP/San Jose Mercury News, San Jose Mercury News.
Some Question Anthem Blue Cross’ Plans To Fix System
Anthem Blue Cross, formerly known as Blue Cross of California, has launched an ad campaign pledging to make health care more affordable and to cover the uninsured. However, some question the state’s largest for-profit health plan’s dedication because it is benefiting under the current system, according to columnist David Lazarus. Los Angeles Times.
Kaiser Approves $19M in Q1 Grants, Donations
Kaiser Permanente has approved nearly 300 community benefit grants and donations totaling more than $19 million in the first quarter of 2008 for not-for-profit organizations in California, Colorado and the Washington, D.C., area. Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo received the biggest grant — $12 million over three years — to help it move out of bankruptcy protection. San Francisco Business Times.
Union Lawsuit Centers on Fund Established for Health Care Campaign
United Healthcare Workers-West President Sal Rosselli said the fund was set up in anticipation of a ballot measure to establish a funding mechanism for a failed health reform plan in California. A lawsuit by SEIU said the fund was established improperly. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
People Turn to Referral Services To Find Elder Care
California residents increasingly are turning to senior placement services to find quality, affordable elder care for their family members. Nationally, the elder care services industry is expected to increase 6.6% annually and reach $264 billion in 2001, according to market research firm Freedonia Group. Sacramento Bee.