Latest California Healthline Stories
Riverside County Supervisors Vote To Reduce Budget by 50% for Rehabilitation Centers
The Riverside County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to reduce by 50% funds for rehabilitation centers that treat drug offenders under Proposition 36, a move that will likely result in decreased access to drug treatment programs, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reports.
Sacramento Bee Examines Mental Health Care in State Juvenile Correctional Facilities
The Sacramento Bee yesterday looked at mental health care in the California Youth Authority’s correctional facilities, which “lags far behind community standards in diagnosing wards and providing adequate treatment.”
HCA Finalizes Settlements With Justice Department, CMS
HCA, the nation’s largest for-profit hospital chain, yesterday signed agreements with the Justice Department to settle allegations that the company made false claims to Medicare and other federal health insurance programs, the Washington Times reports.
Four Ventura County Hospitals Authorized To Write Applications To Hold People With Mental Illnesses
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted 4-0 to allow staff at four county hospitals to write applications to authorize holding for up to 24 hours people with mental illnesses who appear to pose a danger to themselves or others, the Ventura County Star reports.
Alameda County Board of Supervisors Considers Tax To Fund Medical Center
Some members of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors said on Wednesday that they may propose a March 2004 ballot initiative for a parcel or sales tax to fund the county medical center, which on Monday announced plans to cut services at its clinics and trauma center amid a $45.7 million budget deficit, the Oakland Tribune reports.
CDC Backs Smallpox Vaccination Program Expansion Despite Panel’s Advice
Contrary to a CDC advisory panel’s recommendation against expanding the national smallpox vaccination program, CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding yesterday said that states should move forward with phase two of the campaign, which aims to inoculate 10 million first responders, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Members of the Service Employees International Union Local 715 at Mountain View-based El Camino Hospital on Tuesday voted by a margin of 95% to 5% to reject a contract offer proposed by hospital management, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Medicaid Costs Drive States’ Fiscal Crises, Survey Finds
Declining revenue, a weak economy and “upward spiraling” health care costs have propelled states into a “worsening fiscal crisis,” a survey released yesterday by the National Governors Association and the National Association of State Budget Officers found, the New York Times reports.
House Committee Seeks Data From 29 Companies in Medicaid Fraud Probe
The House Energy and Commerce Committee has sent letters to 26 pharmaceutical companies and three prescription drug wholesalers to seek information on their Medicaid prices and billing practices as part of a fraud investigation, the Bloomberg/Boston Globe reports.
Editorials, Opinion Pieces Examine Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Debate
Several editorials and opinion pieces published recently address the congressional debate over a Medicare prescription drug benefit.