Latest California Healthline Stories
San Joaquin Valley Clinics Warn of Problems From Medi-Cal Cuts
Gov. Schwarzenegger has signed legislation that will delay Medi-Cal payments this summer, including about $60 million to clinics in the San Joaquin Valley. Clinic operators are trying to secure loans or other funding to stay afloat during the funding crunch, but some clinic officials say facilities might have to reduce hours or temporarily close. Fresno Bee.
L.A. County Project Offers Hospital Beds for Homeless
Los Angeles County joined with a coalition of hospitals and philanthropies on Friday to unveil a pilot project that will provide 30 beds for homeless patients to recuperate after being discharged from hospitals. Hospitals can spend $1,400 a day or more to care for homeless patients. American Public Media’s “Marketplace.”
California Medical Students To Receive Tuition Refunds
The Supreme Court of California ruled that the University of California must refund tuition increases made in 2003 to 2,500 medical students. The California Medical Association and the American Medical Association/State Medical Societies Litigation Center filed a joint friend-of-the-court brief claiming that the tuition increases raised medical students’ debt and worsened physician shortages in medically underserved areas. American Medical News.
Group Mounts Opposition to Schwarzenegger Plan for Funding Reductions
Advocacy groups representing health care, education and other interests plan a series of rallies statewide to protest Gov. Schwarzenegger’s proposed across-the-board funding cuts to bridge the budget deficit and call for tax increases instead. Sacramento Bee.
California Slow To Adopt HMO Care Regulations
California has yet to adopt regulations to ensure HMO patients have timely access to necessary medical services despite a law passed six years ago requiring the state to do so. Last month, the Office of Administrative Law rejected draft regulations because the Department of Managed Health Care did not provide enough time for public comment. Sacramento Bee.
Congress To Take Incremental Approach to Health Reform
Congress likely will take an incremental approach to health care reform, rather than passing a major universal health care bill. A Senate aide said, “It’s difficult to do anything major legislatively in an election year.” Roll Call.
Calipatira Prison Defies Physician Recruiting Trend
Reforms in California’s prison health care system have left many prisons struggling to hire enough physicians. Calipatira State Prison has overcome the challenges of finding doctors to work at prisons by heavily recruiting medical students, residents and doctors who are dissatisfied with working with HMOs. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Sutter Health Conceals Health Cost Information
After being criticized in 2004 for operating some of the area’s highest-cost hospitals, Sutter Health has begun including gag clauses in its contracts with Northern California health plans that prevent them from releasing cost data without the hospital system’s permission. Legislation pending in the state would prohibit such clauses. San Francisco Business Times.
House Panel Postpones Action on Tobacco Regulation Bill
A House panel on Thursday postponed action on a bill that would give FDA the power to regulate the marketing of tobacco. The legislation has been bogged down by more than 20 amendments and a procedural debate. A matching bill awaits a full vote in the Senate. Media General News Service.