California

Pharmacist underpayments results in adverse events, citations, investigation finds

January 30, 2012

Nursing homes that provide below-average consultant pharmacist salaries may be getting what they pay for, a state investigation suggests.
 

Federal judge blocks Medicaid cuts to California nursing facilities

January 03, 2012

A federal judge granted an injunction last week that stopped the state of California from implementing a 10% reimbursement cut to skilled nursing facilities operating within hospitals.
 

CMS expands Medicare fraud patrol program

November 28, 2011

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is offering $9 million in grants to expand a program that trains retirees to spot Medicare fraud.
 

California gets go-ahead to cut Medicaid payments to providers by 10%

October 31, 2011

The Obama administration has approved a request to cut Medicaid payments to California healthcare providers, including nursing homes, by 10%, which will mean $623 million in less reimbursement over the next two years.
 

Top Democrats opposed to Obama administration position on Medicaid lawsuits

August 12, 2011

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) have parted ways with the Obama administration regarding the rights of Medicaid beneficiaries to sue their states over discontinuation of benefits and access to care.
 

California requires nursing homes to post Five-Star ratings

January 03, 2011

Nursing homes in California, as of the start of the year, must publicly post their facilities' ratings as determined by the federal Five-Star Quality Rating System.
 

California toughens enforcement of nurse staffing ratio

October 28, 2010

A new law in California strictly enforces the nursing home staffing mandate of 3.2 nursing hours per patient day.
 

Celebrity nursing home's administrators broke law in moving residents, state finds

August 13, 2010

Administrators at the embattled Motion Picture and Television Fund nursing home violated California state laws when they relocated dozens of residents last year, the Los Angeles Times reported.
 

Provider groups oppose Supreme Court review of California Medicaid case

August 10, 2010

The Supreme Court should not review a ruling that blocked a 10% across-the-board cut to California Medicaid providers. That is the opinion of a group of national provider groups.
 

California county settles lawsuit over alleged mistreatment of older gay couple

July 27, 2010

A 78-year-old gay resident has settled a lawsuit with Sonoma County, CA. He had accused the county of separating him and his now-deceased gay partner, forcing them into long-term care facilities and selling off all their possessions.
 

Nursing home regulators in California inadequately collect fines from violators, audit finds

June 21, 2010

A report issued Thursday by the California State Auditor finds that nursing home regulators in California are lax when it comes to collecting fines from nursing homes that violate regulations.
 

Nursing homes in California under fire for cutting staff while receiving money for staffing

April 21, 2010

The purpose of a 2004 California law was to provide nursing homes with additional funding to hire staff and increase wages. Instead, a number of nursing home providers took advantage of it to increase profits and pad their bottom line, according to a recent watchdog group report.
 

Vote on California budget compromise looms

July 22, 2009

The California state budget drama continued to play out this week as lawmakers prepare to vote Thursday on an agreement that would close a $26 billion shortfall. The compromise would be one that includes billions of dollars in healthcare and education cuts.
 

Several states miss budget deadline, putting Medicaid services at risk

July 02, 2009

Tuesday at midnight was the deadline for most states to have completed their budget proposals for the coming fiscal year. Many didn't make it, placing state services, including Medicaid programs, at risk of significant cuts.
 

California healthcare union struggle continues, SEIU accused of using anti-union tactics

June 25, 2009

The battle appears to be raging on over representation of California's healthcare workers. Recent reports indicate that as part of its strategy to win, the Service Employees International Union may be resorting to anti-organization tactics it once railed against.