Latest California Healthline Stories
California Healthline Highlights Recent Hospital News
Doctors Medical Center San Pablo announces closure of obstetrics unit, prison contract; Southern California leaders, advocates consider alternatives for King/Drew Medical Center
Health Care Legislation Enacted, Vetoed
Gov. Schwarzenegger signed bills dealing with Medi-Cal reimbursement for home infusion therapy, nursing home residents’ rights and health care services in Los Angeles County, but vetoed a measure that would have established a bulk purchasing program for flu vaccine. Office of the Governor.
More Than $50M in VA Mental Health Funds Unspent
The Department of Veterans Affairs spent only part of what it planned to spend during fiscal year 2005 on a strategic mental health plan, a report finds. McClatchy/Philadelphia Inquirer et al.
Counties Address Retiree Health Benefits
Los Angeles County supervisors allocated additional funding to the county’s retiree health benefits liability, while Orange County supervisors approved a contract reducing retiree health benefits. Los Angeles Daily News, Los Angeles Times.
Groups Question Billing Code Provisions
A provision that would increase the number of billing codes physicians use to submit claims is one of the major points of disagreement in negotiations to resolve differences in the House and Senate health IT legislation. CongressDaily.
County Health Care Workers Reject Contract Offer
Sacramento County officials have asked a union representing health care workers to hold another vote because of low participation. Sacramento Bee.