Latest California Healthline Stories
Healthy Employees Receive Wellness Program Incentives
Under federal rules that take effect July 1, employers offering wellness program must provide incentives and “reasonable alternatives” for all employees. Wall Street Journal.
Medicaid a Factor in Possible Veto of Senate Spending Bill
The White House has formally threatened to veto a Senate supplemental appropriations bill that includes provisions that would prevent proposed reductions in Medicaid reimbursements. CongressDaily, CQ Today.
LA County Approves Federal Aid to Hospital
The extended federal funding would preserve Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Hospital’s accreditation through Aug. 15 and preserve 250 training slots for medical residents as the facility prepares for another federal inspection. Los Angeles Times.
Doctor-Assisted Suicide Bill Passes First Test
The reintroduced proposal seeking to legalize physician-assisted suicide passed its first test in the Assembly and will head to the Appropriations Committee. The measure was approved last year by the Assembly but defeated in the Senate. Gov. Schwarzenegger said he would like the issue to be decided by voters. Ventura County Star et al.
House Committee Hearing Focuses on Worker Benefits
Workers who lose their jobs because of international trade competition should receive more federal assistance to maintain health insurance immediately after they become unemployed, according to testimony before the House Education and Labor Committee. CongressDaily.
Medicaid Drug Reimbursement Rule Faces Opposition
Representatives for pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers have begun to fight a rule proposed by CMS that would revise the formula used to calculate Medicaid reimbursements for generic medications. Wall Street Journal.
Health IT Low on Agenda, Congressional Aides Say
Congress this year likely will focus more on State Children’s Health Insurance Programs reauthorization, Medicare physician payments and the Medicare prescription drug benefit than on health information technology legislation. CongressDaily, CQ HealthBeat.
Home Health Workers’ Case To Go Before Supreme Court
The Supreme Court plans to hear oral arguments in a case that could determine whether federal minimum wage and overtime laws apply to home care workers. The case applies only to home health care workers employed by agencies. New York Times.
Health Costs Fuel Grocery Workers’ Vote to Strike
The current contract for workers at Albertsons and other grocery chains is set to expire April 9, but the earliest date that union workers could strike is April 13. Both sides are at a stalemate over employer contributions to the health care plan. Los Angeles Times.
Nurses Association Fights for Contract With Hospital
Nurses represented by the California Nurses Association in April will relocate to Community Medical Center in conjunction with their hospital’s transfer of critical care services. However, the center does not plan to bargain with CNA on behalf of the nurses. Fresno Bee.