02/02/2012
Although California has made strides to reduce overcrowding in prisons, it also must address the cost of holding a growing number of geriatric prisoners, according to a Sacramento Bee editorial that highlights a new Human Rights Watch report. The editorial states, "Dealing with geriatric populations behind bars is costly, especially since prisoners are not eligible for federal health insurance programs for the elderly." It adds, "In addition to normal prison security costs, the state has to deal with the ailments of the old -- mobility impairments, hearing and vision loss, dementia, illnesses that are chronic, disabling and terminal." Sacramento Bee.
02/02/2012
Last night, 28 Democrats joined all House Republicans in approving legislation to repeal the federal health reform law's Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act. The bill now goes to the Senate, where Democrats are expected to resist its passage. Roll Call et al.
02/02/2012
On Tuesday, the California Department of Public Health announced that it has levied an "AA" citation and $100,000 fine -- the maximum penalties under state law -- against Seton Medical Center after an investigation determined that a hospital error led to the death of a patient in the long-term nursing unit. Seton is appealing the citation and fine. Bay Citizen, San Jose Mercury News.
02/01/2012
Today, the House is expected to pass legislation to repeal the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports program created by the federal health reform law. However, the bill is unlikely to secure enough support to pass in the Senate. The Hill's "Healthwatch," National Journal.
02/01/2012
California officials are directing residents to a website that explains the benefits of long-term care plans and provides details on available policies. Many adults do not purchase long-term care insurance because of the cost or because they do not think they need it. HealthyCal.
01/26/2012
State and federal policymakers are looking to the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly as a potential model to save money and improve health care for the elderly and individuals with disabilities. California has five PACE organizations that operate 18 centers. San Francisco Chronicle.
01/26/2012
On Wednesday, the Motion Picture & Television Fund announced that it is reversing a decision to close its long-term health care facility in Woodland Hills. The facility was set to close after board members in 2009 announced a $10 million-a-year budget shortfall, but MPTF said the facility's finances have improved and it immediately will start admitting new and former residents. Los Angeles Times' "Company Town," Los Angeles Daily News.
01/25/2012
On Tuesday, a federal judge granted final approval to a recent settlement in a lawsuit challenging the state's plan to eliminate the adult day health care program. Under the settlement, about half of the 35,000 participants in the ADHC program beginning in March will be eligible to join the new Community-Based Adult Services program, while the rest of the participants will receive case management services that allow them to continue living at home. Los Angeles Times' "PolitiCal."
01/20/2012
Long-term care ombudsmen in California are expressing concern that a state law allowing parolees to receive care at nursing homes could put other residents' safety at risk. However, one lawyer contends that the parolees do not pose threats to others. Bay Citizen/New York Times.
01/20/2012
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken issued a preliminary injunction to continue to prevent the state from implementing cuts to the In-Home Supportive Services program. The state plans to challenge the order. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
01/10/2012
"Gov. Jerry Brown's plan to save money by cutting state funding to combat In-Home Supportive Services fraud is penny-wise and pound-foolish" because it "will create an open season for criminals to bilk taxpayers out of the very dollars he wants to save," Sacramento County District Attorney Jan Scully writes in a Sacramento Bee opinion piece. "For the past two fiscal years, the state budget included $10 million for IHSS fraud investigations," which "made California eligible to receive $10 million in additional federal funds, totaling $20 million each fiscal year for distribution to any county willing to implement an IHSS fraud investigation plan," she notes. "The governor should protect IHSS fraud prevention funds because ... [f]ailing to do so will be a disservice to IHSS participants, taxpayers and communities throughout California," Scully concludes. Sacramento Bee.
01/06/2012
On Thursday, San Mateo County health service officials said they plan to recommend that the county Board of Supervisors close the Burlingame Long-Term Care Center because of the nearly 49-year-old facility's age and because the county faces $9 million in state budget cuts. County Health System Chief Jean Fraser said that state and federal funding covered the cost of operating the 230-patient facility last year and that the recommendation is "a policy decision," adding, "The state doesn't support our type of nursing." The Board of Supervisors is expected to reach a final decision by Feb. 14. If the board accepts the recommendation, the facility would close within the next 16 months. San Jose Mercury News.
12/22/2011
Nurses across the state are conducting evaluations to determine which residents will qualify for a scaled-down version of the adult day health care program. Although California initially planned to eliminate the program to reduce state spending, a recent legal settlement means that the state will continue offering certain ADHC services. KQED's "The California Report."
12/20/2011
On Monday, the California Department of Public Health announced that it has fined two Orange County nursing homes in the deaths of patients who received "inadequate care." Newport Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Newport Beach was fined $100,000 after a patient fell while using the bathroom unsupervised. Emeritus at Yorba Linda was fined $90,000 after an unintended patient choked on a piece of meat. The facilities received the most serious citations possible. Orange County Register.
12/20/2011
An appeals court has ruled in a Washington state case that states cannot cut in-home services for the elderly and residents with disabilities if there is serious risk they could be institutionalized. An attorney says the ruling has implications for California. San Francisco Chronicle.