Latest California Healthline Stories
Justice Dept. Joins Medicare Fraud Suit Against IHS
The Justice Department has joined a whistle-blower lawsuit charging Integrated Health Services Inc., one of the nation’s largest nursing home chains, with Medicare fraud, the
Baltimore Sun reports.
Both Sides Reviewing Compromise Agreement for Medicare-Medicaid Givebacks
Negotiators attempted yesterday to put the “finishing touches” on the “Medicare-Medicaid giveback” legislation, with Republicans “apparently add[ing] nearly $2 billion over five years to the package in an effort to win approval from Democrats,” CongressDaily reports.
Sacramento County Approves Health Care Measures
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved construction of a new $30 million primary health care clinic and ratified a measure making more residents eligible for care at county facilities, the Sacramento Bee reports
Hi-Ethics, TRUSTe to Develop ‘eHealth Seal’
Health Internet Ethics Inc., or Hi-Ethics, a coalition of 18 “prominent” health Internet sites, announced yesterday that it will team up with the not-for-profit Internet privacy organization TRUSTe to develop an “eHealth seal” that will identify health Web sites in compliance with Hi-Ethics’ principles.
Union Members May Help Planned St. John’s Nurses’ Strike
“Tens of thousands” of Ventura County union members have been asked to “honor the picket line” if a planned nurses’ strike at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard and Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo begins tomorrow, the Ventura County Star reports.
Negotiators Push For MSA Program Extension
A two-year extension of the Medical Savings Account program “seems destined for enactment” as Congress addresses the “final legislative bundle,” which could be completed this week, CongressDaily reports.
Los Angeles County Cuts 153 Health Department Jobs
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors yesterday cut 153 positions from the financially troubled county health department, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Fundraising for Scripps Brings in $56.2M
Philanthropic contributions for the Scripps Foundation for Medicine and Science are up $1.5 million to $56.2 million for FY 2000, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Health Insurance Benefit Costs Will Rise 11%
With health insurance premiums expected to rise another 11% next year, many employers plan to shift health benefit costs to employees, according to a survey released today by William M. Mercer, Inc.
Alameda County Workers Reach Agreement, Avert Strike
Averting a potential strike Thursday, union negotiators for 2,300 workers at the Alameda County Medical Center tentatively agreed late Sunday night to a contract with the county, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.