09/02/2010
A new study by Buck Consultants shows how much the city of San Diego and taxpayers could save by making substantial changes to the city's health care benefit for retired workers. The current deficit for the benefit stands at $1.36 billion. San Diego Union-Tribune.
08/30/2010
A judge has denied Skilled Healthcare's bid for a mistrial ruling and issued an injunction ordering the nursing home chain to comply with California's mandated staffing levels. Attorneys in the case are due back in court tomorrow. Eureka Times-Standard, Bloomberg.
08/27/2010
The California Department of Public Health has reversed its ruling issued earlier this month that the nursing home run by the Motion Picture and Television Fund broke state law by failing to provide discharge notices to residents before transferring them. Ralph Montano, a DPH spokesperson, said the decision was changed because a formal closure process was never initiated. Los Angeles Times' "Company Town."
08/26/2010
Kentucky-based Kindred Healthcare has announced plans to acquire five long-term acute care hospitals owned by Southern California's Vista Healthcare. Kindred will pay Vista $180 million for the four freestanding hospitals and one hospital-in-hospital facility. Kindred also plans to acquire three nursing homes in Texas. The acquisitions are expected to close this year. HealthLeaders Media.
08/26/2010
Gov. Schwarzenegger will not be able to implement his plan to prevent individuals with certain convictions from working as In-Home Supportive Services caregivers. A judge recently ruled that the plan would harm patients and caregivers. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
08/25/2010
A recent audit identified problems with the state Department of Developmental Services' oversight of regional centers. The centers contract with other groups to provide in-home care and other services to residents with developmental disabilities. "California Watch Blog."
08/23/2010
The Little Hoover Commission, a Sacramento-based think thank, is developing recommendations on how the state could maximize long-term care services for seniors and residents with disabilities, while minimizing spending amid ongoing budget strain. Ventura County Star.
08/23/2010
A California Watch review finds that Attorney General Jerry Brown's office has prosecuted fewer elder abuse cases than his predecessor. Officials in Brown's office say there has been no conscious effort to downplay elder abuse cases. California Watch/San Francisco Chronicle.
08/20/2010
State officials are gearing up to enact new rules barring individuals with certain convictions from working as caregivers in the In-Home Supportive Services program. The state is appealing an earlier court decision that sided against the new IHSS rules. San Francisco Chronicle.
08/19/2010
On Wednesday, more than one dozen advocacy groups rallied in Sacramento to protest Gov. Schwarzenegger's proposed cuts to In-Home Supportive Services, adult day health care, mental health services and Medi-Cal. Advocates said the proposed cuts would force many residents into institutionalized care. Sacramento Bee, Capital Public Radio's "KXJZ News."
08/19/2010
In its August edition of "Health Dialogues," KQED's "California Report" examined end-of-life care issues. The edition includes segments on end-of-life care planning, cultural influences, physician perspectives, insurance coverage and pediatric hospice services. KQED's "California Report."
08/18/2010
Cancer likely is the leading cause of death in the world and costs more in productivity and lost life than any other illness, according to an American Cancer Society report to be presented this week at the World Cancer Congress in China. The report found that cancer cost the world $895 billion in 2008, equivalent to about 1.5% of the world's entire gross domestic product. A number of advocacy groups have been urging health officials to devote more funding to combat noninfectious causes of death, including cancer. AP/Chicago Tribune.
08/17/2010
In-Home Supportive Services employees in San Mateo County are willing to increase their health care contributions to counteract funding reductions proposed by the governor. The proposal could remove services for up to 2,500 individuals. San Jose Mercury News, Contra Costa Times.
08/17/2010
A new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities finds that a Republican proposal to repeal a tax filing requirement in the health reform law would cut preventive care funding while allowing businesses to avoid paying certain taxes. The Hill's "Healthwatch."
08/13/2010
Senior Care Action Network owes California about $339 million to account for overpayments by the Department of Health Care Services, according to Controller John Chiang. SCAN called Chiang's allegations "untrue and unwarranted." Central Valley Business Times.