FROM THE FOUNDATION

Redefining the Safety Net

Should California establish a Basic Health Program for certain low-income residents? CHCF's Marian Mulkey captures a recent policy conversation in a Health Affairs blog.

Accountable Care in Action

A new post on the Health Affairs blog details how CalPERS kept costs down in Sacramento through a "virtual" ACO with insurers and providers.

Career Opportunity: Senior Program Officer

This position will play a major role in furthering the goals and objectives of the foundation's Better Chronic Disease Care program.

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05/23/2012

Brown Urges Business Leaders To Support Budget, Tax Plan

During an address to the California Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, Gov. Brown urged business leaders to support his revised fiscal year 2012-2013 budget plan and tax hike measure. He warned that if the tax hike measure is not approved, more cuts to services will be necessary. San Jose Mercury News et al.

05/23/2012

Brown's Reorganization Plan Approved by Little Hoover Commission

The Little Hoover Commission has endorsed Gov. Brown's plan to reorganize the state government. The plan would reduce the number of state agencies from 12 to 10 by consolidating some departments and eliminating others. Sacramento Bee's "The State Worker," Imperial Valley News.

05/23/2012

Calif. School Boards Endorse Two Rival Tax Hike Plans

In a statement released this week, the California School Boards Association endorsed two competing tax hike initiatives -- the compromise tax hike proposal by Gov. Brown and supporters of the "Millionaires Tax," and the tax hike proposal by Los Angeles civil rights attorney Molly Munger. CSBA Executive Director Vernon Billy said that while "each initiative presents a different funding scenario for our schools, the bottom line is that both will generate billions of dollars in much-needed revenue for public education." Sacramento Bee's "Capitol Alert."

05/22/2012

Democrats Likely To Spurn Four Key Proposals in Brown's Budget

Democratic lawmakers likely will disagree with four key proposals in Gov. Brown's revised budget plan that call for cutting CalWORKs, In-Home Supportive Services, child care subsidies and financial aid for certain college students. San Francisco Chronicle.

05/21/2012

LAO Says Budget Deficit Likely Higher Than Gov. Brown's Recent Estimate

A new report by the Legislative Analyst's Office projects that the state budget deficit is larger than Gov. Brown's recent estimate of $15.7 billion. LAO indicated that the deficit could be higher than $17 billion. Sacramento Bee's "Capitol Alert," Sacramento Business Journal.

05/21/2012

LAO Takes Issue With Brown's Budget Furlough Proposal

A proposal in Gov. Brown's revised fiscal year 2012-2013 budget plan to shift most state workers -- including state hospital employees -- to a four-day, 38-hour workweek would create some serious problems, according to an analysis released Friday by the Legislative Analyst's Office. According to LAO, the plan would deter employees from using much of their leave, which would increase the state's deferred costs; would affect intergovernmental agency interactions; and may not reduce energy costs. Sacramento Bee's "The State Worker."

05/18/2012

CalPERS Increases Contributions for State Employee Pensions

CalPERS has approved a 5.7% increase in payment rates for state worker pensions in the next fiscal year. The cost increase will be implemented over two years, a strategy that Gov. Brown calls "not a prudent decision." Sacramento Business Journal et al.

05/17/2012

Calif.'s Nursing Homes Face Deep Medicare Payment Cuts

In early 2013, California's skilled nursing facilities could face Medicare payment cuts totaling $75.9 million -- the largest amount of cuts among all states -- if Congress fails to overcome an ongoing budget stalemate, according to a recent study commissioned by the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care. Those cuts would come on top of a state proposal to rescind a recent payment hike to close California's $16 billion budget deficit. Payers & Providers.

05/17/2012

Steinberg Rebuffs S&P's Criticism of Accessing Budget Reserves

Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg continues to support using state budget reserves to avoid making deep cuts to social services programs, despite Standard & Poor's call for lawmakers to avoid the strategy. Sacramento Bee's "Capitol Alert."

05/16/2012

Columnist: New Budget Plan a Political Pitch for Tax Hikes

In an Orange County Register opinion piece, columnist Dan Walters argues that Gov. Brown's revised fiscal year 2012-2013 budget plan "is as much a political document as a fiscal one, clearly aimed at persuading voters to approve new sales and income taxes next November." Walters also suggests that "[Brown's] goal, quite obviously, is to prove to voters that he isn't just asking them to pay more taxes, but is also slashing health and welfare services" and other spending categories. Orange County Register.

05/16/2012

LAO Revenue Forecast Close to Gov. Brown's Latest Estimates

The Legislative Analyst's Office says its revenue projections for California are similar to those included in Gov. Brown's revised budget plan. Previously, LAO had found the projections included in Brown’s initial budget plan to be too optimistic. Sacramento Bee's "Capitol Alert."

05/16/2012

O.C. Official Touts Balanced County Budget Proposal

Orange County Budget Office Director Frank Kim says that the $5.6 billion fiscal year 2012-2013 county budget plan is balanced and free of major cuts. However, he warns that three factors could alter the plan: the overall economy, the state budget crisis and pending lawsuits and claims against the county. KPCC's "KPCC News."

05/16/2012

Revised Budget Would Affect Central Valley Health Care

Gov. Brown's revised fiscal year 2012-2013 budget plan includes deeper cuts to health and welfare programs than his initial proposal, some of which would affect hospitals and social service agencies in the Central Valley. For example, Kaweah Delta Medical Center would lose $16.6 million, or about 14.5% of its Medi-Cal revenue, in the next fiscal year under the revised budget plan, according to Kaweah Delta CEO Lindsay Mann. Fresno Bee.

05/16/2012

S&P Rejects Lawmaker's Proposed Strategy To Access Budget Reserves

Standard & Poor's recommends that lawmakers forgo Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg's idea to use state budget reserves to aid social service programs. S&P says that lawmakers should pursue "credible" budget solutions. Sacramento Bee's "Capitol Alert."

05/15/2012

Brown Calls for Deeper Health Program Cuts in Revised Budget

Gov. Brown has released his revised budget plan for the next fiscal year. The plan includes deeper Medi-Cal and In-Home Supportive Services cuts than his original plan and maintains proposed cuts to welfare and child care programs. Sacramento Bee's "Capitol Alert" et al.