In Brief: Brown Earmarks More Money For Medi-Cal; Kaiser Pharmacists May Strike
Gov. Brown’s Budget Proposal Calls For More Medi-Cal Funding
California Gov. Jerry Brown's current proposed budget revisions include an additional $1.2 billion for Medi-Cal program.
The money – about half of a $2.4 billion unexpected swell in the state's revenues – would be earmarked to cover about 800,000 Medi-Cal enrollees who have qualified prior to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Enrollment numbers for the program after the ACA was implemented is roughly double the projections of about 1 million. About $193 million is being budgeted in this fiscal year, and another $918 million for fiscal 2015.
Money is also being earmarked for increasing in-home supportive services and to address operational deficiencies at a relatively new prison hospital facility in Stockton.
Brown's proposal did not include funding to restore cut to payments to skilled nursing facilities that are based within hospitals. The California Hospital Association said it was disappointed in that part of the proposal.
“As California’s budget picture continues to improve, lawmakers should do their part by
restoring specific cuts that protect the most vulnerable among us, and preserve a basic quality-of-life issue: access to quality healthcare for all,” said CHA President C. Duane Dauner.
Kaiser Pharmacists May Strike Next Week
Kaiser Permanente’s Southern California division is bracing for a potential strike next week of its 1,400 pharmacists in Southern California.
The pharmacists are planning to walk off the job on the morning of May 19 in the hope of restoring pension benefits that were taken away three years ago, as well as beefing up hours for per diem pharmacists in order to qualify for benefits. They are represented by the Guild for Professional Pharmacists.
Kaiser notified its 3.7 million members earlier this week of a potential strike. It has made arrangements with outside pharmacies to fill prescriptions if necessary.
Kaiser has said that it hopes it can reach a solution with the union and avoid a work stoppage.
The latest round of negotiations are scheduled for Friday.
Mackler Wins Grassroots Award
The American Hospital Association and the California Hospital Association have given its annual Grassroots Champions Award to Peter Mackler of the MemorialCare Health System in Fountain Valley.
Mackler is MemorialCare’s executive director of government relations and policy. He received the award in recognition of his work in generating grassroots activism on behalf of hospitals.
"This award recognizes Peter's exceptional efforts and dedication to improving health and healthcare in America,” said AHA President Richard Umbdenstock.
The award is given to a recipient in each state, with the decision made by the state’s hospital association.
