State Highlights: Calif. Skilled Nurses Avoid Pay Cut
A selection of health policy stories from Indiana, Connecticut and California.
The Associated Press: Indiana University Health Says It Will Cut 800 Jobs At Hospitals In Indianapolis, Elsewhere
Indiana's largest hospital system said Thursday it will cut about 800 jobs and realign some services as part of a nationwide trend by large-scale providers to cut expenses and adapt to changing trends in health care. The cutbacks at Indiana University Health will go into effect by Dec. 1, company officials said at a news conference. Cuts will be felt at seven hospitals, including the system's Indianapolis-area hospitals and those in Muncie and Tipton (Wilson, 9/12).
Modern Healthcare: Indiana University Health Plans To Cut 800 Jobs
Indiana University Health is trimming its workforce by about 800 positions at seven campuses as part of a plan to slash $1 billion in costs over the next five years. Five hospitals -- IU Health University Hospital in Indianapolis; IU Health North Hospital in Carmel, IU Health Saxony Hospital in Fishers, IU Health Tipton (Ind.) Hospital and IU Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie -- will see workforce reductions, and those losing their jobs will be notified in October (Selvam, 9/12).
California Healthline: Breakthrough Deal For Nursing Facilities
State officials yesterday agreed to a deal that will reverse the 10 percent Medi-Cal provider reimbursement cut for hospital-based, distinct-part skilled nursing facilities. The reversal was tucked into the language of SB 239 by Sen. Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina), the bill to extend the hospital quality assurance fee. That bill yesterday cleared the Assembly Committee on Health with a unanimous vote, and is headed to the Legislature floor for votes over the next two days (Gorn, 9/12).
The CT Mirror: Insurance Department Seeking Comments On Mental Health Parity
If you have something to say about how mental health parity laws are being followed, here's your chance: The Connecticut Insurance Department is soliciting written comments on how it can ensure that insurance companies comply with state and federal laws requiring that they treat mental health the same way they treat medical issues (Becker, 9/12).