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Mapping Chronic Disease in California

The California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) provides data that identifies those areas of California bearing the heaviest burden in terms of chronic disease. The latest survey added new conditions and a map feature.

Paper to Electronic Charts Made Easy

Community clinics with experience making the transition from paper to electronic records share the strategies, techniques, and insights they learned along the way.

Among Hospitals, A Special Critical List

People in rural and remote areas throughout California depend on critical access hospitals. This paper tracks the changing landscape and financial health of these small but important institutions.

Long-Term Care

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03/19/2010

Senate Subcommittee Rejects Governor's Plan To Cut Health Programs

Gov. Schwarzenegger has threatened to eliminate In-Home Supportive Services and other health care programs unless California receives an extra $6.9 billion in federal funds. Yesterday, a state Senate subcommittee said it would not support the governor's proposal. Sacramento Bee's "Capitol Alert."

03/18/2010

State Considering High-Tech Cameras To Curb In-Home Care Fraud

State officials are considering purchasing $5,000 devices to fingerprint and photograph Californians enrolled in the In-Home Supportive Services program. Officials say a new law allows them to obtain such data as part of fraud prevention efforts. Sacramento Bee's "Capitol Alert."

03/18/2010

GLBT Seniors Push Changes to Medicaid, Social Security

An advocacy group for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender seniors says changes to federal rules governing Medicaid, Social Security and other issues could help shore up the medical, financial and social safety nets for GLBT seniors. AARP and the American Society for Aging endorsed the report. Los Angeles Times.

03/17/2010

Nursing Home Workers Push for Vote To Change Unions

One thousand care providers at 10 nursing homes operated by GranCare have petitioned the labor board for a vote that would let them decide whether to retain the Service Employees International Union as their representation or join the National Union of Healthcare Workers.  Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal.

03/10/2010

Senate Panel To Investigate Long-Term Care Hospitals

The Senate Finance Committee recently launched an investigation into long-term care hospitals that treat patients with chronic conditions. The investigation will focus on Select Medical Corporation, a for-profit company that operates 89 facilities. New York Times.

03/08/2010

DOJ Files Brief in Support of Suit Challenging In-Home Care Cuts

In an amicus brief filed last week, Obama administration attorneys contend that Gov. Schwarzenegger's proposal to reduce eligibility for California's In-Home Supportive Services program could violate the Americans with Disabilities Act. Lawmakers approved the IHSS cuts in an effort to reduce state spending by $82.1 million this fiscal year. Sacramento Bee's "Capitol Alert."

03/04/2010

Court Rules Against State Cuts to Medi-Cal Rates, IHSS Wages

On Wednesday, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Gov. Schwarzenegger and continued to block state budget cuts that would have reduced Medi-Cal reimbursement rates and wages for in-home caregivers. The court said the state skirted federal law because it failed to conduct analyses on the potential impact of the cuts. Sacramento Bee's "Capitol Alert" et al.

02/26/2010

Judge Halts State Move To Reduce Eligibility for Adult Day Health Care

On Wednesday, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking California's plan to restrict eligibility in its adult day health care program. The program changes originally were scheduled to take effect beginning on Monday. San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee.

02/25/2010

Opinion: Cuts to Adult Day Health Care 'Shortsighted'

Assembly member Pedro Nava and Mark Kovalik, administrator of Among Friends Adult Day Health Care Center in Ventura County, argue that Gov. Schwarzenegger's proposed cuts to adult day health care services would cost the state jobs and result in higher state spending by pushing more Californians to be moved to nursing homes. Nava and Kovalik urge Californians to oppose the cuts. Ventura County Star.

02/23/2010

Compromise Sought in Cuts to Adult Day Health Care

On Thursday, Assembly member Bonnie Lowenthal introduced compromise legislation that would reduce eligibility for adult day health care services but by less than Gov. Schwarzenegger has proposed as part of his budget plan. Operators of adult day health care centers are supporting Lowenthal's bill. Fresno Bee.

02/18/2010

Advocates Spar Over Effectiveness of 2004 Nursing Home Law

A California nursing home association says AB 1629 has helped boost nursing home staffing hours. Meanwhile, other advocates say the measure has not led to an increase in long-term care quality. The law is set to expire in the middle of next year. Chico Enterprise-Record.

02/16/2010

Editorial Urges California To Scale Back IHSS Program

As California legislators weigh Gov. Schwarzenegger's proposals to cut state funding for In-Home Supportive Services, an editorial urges the state to reduce eligibility for the program to only the "most impaired" Californians rather than eliminate it altogether.  Modesto Bee.

02/12/2010

Few Eligible Californians Have Enrolled in Health Care Tax Credit Program

Fewer than one-third of eligible Californians have signed up for a federal health care tax credit program administered by the Internal Revenue Service. IRS officials are holding meetings across the country in an effort to increase awareness of the benefits. Los Angeles Times.

02/11/2010

Medi-Cal Funding for Adult Day Health Care Centers in Jeopardy

In a bid to save $135 million, the state plans to end Medi-Cal reimbursements for adult day health care centers, possibly as soon as March 1. Opponents of the cuts defend the centers' services for low-income participants and say the state could face higher long-term costs if the centers close and beneficiaries seek care in higher-cost settings. Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee.

02/10/2010

Quality Lapses Widespread at Long-Term Care Hospitals

In 2007 and 2008, some long-term care hospitals were cited for violating Medicare rules at nearly twice the rate of regular hospitals. In addition, long-term care facilities -- which are not designed to treat specific conditions or patients but allow patients to remain in their facilities for longer than regular hospitals -- had a higher rate of bedsores and infections than regular hospitals in 2006. New York Times.

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