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  • Few Californians benefiting from rescission settlements
    Mar 10, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
    ...finding coverage through work."Ng said the department had no plans to evaluate the settlements on those terms because such an endeavor would be too costly and time-consuming.Department of Managed Health Care spokeswoman Lynne Randolph said that agency's efforts to stem illegal policy rescissions worked."The DMHC settlements were the first and strongest in the nation to halt health plan abuses," Randolph said. "As a result of DMHC actions, the number of rescissions...
  • Jail health workers strike in Oakland, Dublin
    Mar 10, 2010 — The Oakland Tribune
    ...contract with Alameda County to provide health care staff, such as nurses and medical record technicians, to Santa Rita Jail in Dublin and the North County Jail in Oakland. "This is to show we mean business and we're not going to give in," said Kim Tovar, a medical records technician at North County Jail. Tovar and about two dozen others protested outside North County Jail while a much larger procession marched in front of the county's largest jail, Santa Rita Jail....
  • Anthem becomes Obama's Exhibit A for health-care reform
    Mar 9, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
    The day after Anthem's filing, the bill passed the House on a cliff-hanging vote. About a third are covered by Anthem.California allows increases in the individual market so long as insurers spend at least 70 cents of every premium dollar on health care. Kathleen Sebelius, the secretary of Health and Human Services, sent a letter to WellPoint, challenging the increases, and summoned industry executives to the White House to explain themselves.
  • California legislators vote to extend tax relief for home short sales
    Mar 9, 2010 — The Sacramento Bee
    One clause would eliminate state tax penalties for those who received loan modifications last year or did short sales. In short sales, they agree to sales prices below what they're owed to avoid foreclosing. The federal government has banned the IRS from taxing forgiven mortgage debt through the end of 2012.
  • Chino man charged with cyber-extortion
    Mar 9, 2010 — Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
    Yes, I am vindictive," Digati wrote. "I have absolutely nothing to lose or any fear of retaliation.
  • Dr. Nanette Mickiewicz, Dominican Hospital president, says local healthcare reform needed
    Mar 9, 2010 — Santa Cruz Sentinel
    Jondi Gumz Mar. 9, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- SANTA CRUZ -- When Dr.
  • Insurer sues woman who stole money from Mercy Medical Center Merced
    Mar 9, 2010 — Merced Sun-Star
    The insurance company backing Mercy Medical Center is seeking to recoup nearly $600,000 a local woman embezzled from the facility between 2001 and 2008. Federal Insurance Co., which provides insurance to Mercy Medical Center and its parent company Catholic Healthcare West, filed a civil lawsuit against Deborah Ann Morton in February seeking restitution for the $581,747 she embezzled from Mercy. The former medical staff director for Mercy pleaded no contest to felony embezzlement...
  • Los Angeles Times David Lazarus column: Citi to taxpayers
    Mar 9, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
    A score above 700 is typically seen by lenders as a sign of good financial health. Anything below 600 represents a greater risk for lenders and can result in higher interest rates. This is where lenders have people between a rock and a hard place. He declined to be more specific because the Department of Insurance is still tallying the complaints.
  • Obama adds fire to healthcare debate
    Mar 9, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
    He will also talk about healthcare in a visit to St. Obama has elevated healthcare to the top of his domestic agenda and has spent the last year attempting to pass a bill.
  • On the Waterfront
    Mar 9, 2010 — Press-Telegram
    ...scrapping a container fee that just two years ago promised to generate more than $200 million annually for port infrastructure projects. The Infrastructure Cargo Fee, or IFC, was set to begin July 1 at $6 per 20-foot- equivalent container, generating much- needed funds to help pay for new bridges, terminals, roadways and the like. But Monday, following a similar decision by the Port of Los Angeles last week, Long Beach harbor commissioners voted to shelve the fee as they ponder...
  • Press-Telegram, Long Beach, Calif., On the Waterfront column
    Mar 9, 2010 — Press-Telegram
    Long Beach Harbor Commission President Jim Hankla describing it as a "bitter pill that should be taken now so future generations won't have to." But then came the global economic spiral, and a retreat by port authorities from several controversial fee increases, container taxes and related plans challenged by shippers, retailers, farmers and other cargo owners. The recession reduced trade through most American seaports by some 25 percent, and in Long Beach-Los Angeles,...
  • State announces tax break for winter-impacted residents
    Mar 9, 2010 — San Bernardino County Sun
    ...damage can find quick relief through their tax returns, state Controller and FTB Chairman John Chiang said in a statement. Claiming losses on 2009 tax returns will allow the FTB to issue refunds quickly. Taxpayers who have already filed their returns for 2009 can file an amended return. Those claiming losses on their returns should write "California Winter Storms 2010" in red ink at the top of their returns to alert the FTB to expedite the refund. If e-filing, taxpayers...
  • Taking aim at rich pensions
    Mar 9, 2010 — Daily News (Los Angeles, Calif.)
    Also, county supervisors in Orange County are pushing a lawsuit that could roll back billions of dollars in pension benefits that have been granted in the past decade. Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman proposes to raise the retirement age for most state workers from 55 to 65, require longer vesting periods and require state employees to contribute more to their pensions.
  • CHILDREN LOST IN THE SYSTEM
    Mar 8, 2010 — Monterey County Herald
    ...students with a wide range of mental health needs and found consistent violations that range from not having a written agreement between agencies for the delivery of mental health services to failure to adhere to timelines and to provide written assessment reports. The agencies named in the report are the Monterey County Office of Education and its Special Education Local Plan Area, along with Monterey County Behavioral Health, the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, the Salinas...
  • Fat American children
    Mar 8, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
    In Alaska, poor children were only 1.2 times more likely to be overweight or obese than better-off children. It means adding the physical health burden of obesity to the already existing burdens of poverty and discrimination. How might public health, health insurance and school programs play a role?
  • Fat American children: many causes, a lifetime of effects
    Mar 8, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
    What are some of the biggest factors that are linked to kids becoming overweight and obese? In Alaska, poor children were only 1.2 times more likely to be overweight or obese than better-off children. What other factors might contribute to kids becoming overweight or obese?
  • Fitness director outlines obesity plan at Ontario gathering
    Mar 8, 2010 — San Bernardino County Sun
    If this is not possible due to limiting chronic conditions, older adults should be as physically active as their abilities allow. They should avoid inactivity.
  • Foreclosure forum a discussion of trying times
    Mar 8, 2010 — Merced Sun-Star
    Deidre Kelsey; Mayor Bill Spriggs; Alex Abarca, a behavioral health consultant with Golden Valley Health Centers; LaMonte Allen, a financial specialist with ClearPoint Credit Counseling Solutions; Realtor Andy Krotik and Sun-Star reporter Danielle Gaines. Gaines was the Sun-Star's reporter (along with photographer Bea Ahbeck) in the company's January series, "Houses of Blues: The Extreme Stress of Merced's Foreclosure Epidemic." The series was reported and written with an editor and...
  • Health insurance rate hikes are par for the course
    Mar 8, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
    Individual policyholders remain the most vulnerable to health insurance rate increases. When insurers raise rates, they'll usually offer alternative plan options, McLean says. Watch out for insurance policies that apply preexisting exclusions, warns Fish-Parcham.
  • Healthcare overhaul comes down to Pelosi and Obama
    Mar 8, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
    Then both chambers would approve changes under the budget reconciliation process, which could pass the Senate with a simple 51-vote majority. Obama offered a comprehensive proposal in his own name and made high-profile gestures to Republicans. Another band of Democrats complained Thursday that the bill's Medicare provisions were too skewed to rural areas. Liberals object that the Senate bill does not include a public option.
  • Mental health program endangered
    Mar 8, 2010 — Daily Breeze
    It got out of hand." He served time for a number of minor offenses, and was also homeless for a period.
  • Redlands cuts high school busing
    Mar 8, 2010 — San Bernardino County Sun
    Nobody gets into bus driving for the money or the respect. It's going to affect a lot of bus drivers' benefits. Some of the drivers just made 6 1/4 hours before all this happened." About 90 percent of RUSD bus drivers are already part time, Johnson said.
  • San Jose Mercury News, Calif., Action Line column
    Mar 8, 2010 — San Jose Mercury News
    They wanted me to provide flood insurance or they would provide it and bill me. This involves getting a survey by a land surveyor and then submitting a very simple application to FEMA. But here's the rub: Homeowners have to find their own land surveyor.
  • Seeking a public opinion of substance
    Mar 8, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
    These are reputable outfits using sophisticated techniques to arrive at representative samples and fair questions. Complement our current polls with "deliberative" polls on the major issues. Deliberative polls and citizen assemblies are gaining currency.
  • Southwest hospitals may drop Inland Empire Health Plan
    Mar 8, 2010 — The Press-Enterprise
    Rivas, an event planner, and her daughter are receiving the government benefits. All of Rivas' doctor's patients would have to go to the county hospital.
  • Tough times reach Vernon
    Mar 8, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
    Unlike many other cities in Los Angeles County, Vernon has not yet fallen into deficit. City administrator Donal O'Callaghan explained that Vernon had joined other cities buffeted by the recession and that things might not improve much for two or three years. But to Gonzalez, 74, the South Gate councilman, Vernon has always been different from any other city.
  • Travel dilemmas: Taken for a ride by car rental company?
    Mar 8, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
    On a recent trip to Texas, I declined to purchase the insurance. Imagine my surprise when the rental agent told me that Texas law prohibited my insurance company from covering me for anything beyond basic liability.
  • Anthem a boon to Obama's healthcare efforts
    Mar 7, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
    Anthem Blue Cross was seeking double-digit rate increases for many of its 800,000 individual policyholders. Most Americans had never heard of Anthem, much less the impending rate hikes. The rate increases, averaging 25%, would affect only Anthem's individual policyholders, a small portion of California residents.
  • Companies in enterprise zone increasingly use hiring incentives
    Mar 7, 2010 — San Bernardino County Sun
    The incentives can add up to a little more than $37,000 over five years. New hires have to meet eligibility requirements for businesses to claim the tax credits.
  • Fair trade labeling isn't cut-and-dried
    Mar 7, 2010 — The Sacramento Bee
    But it can also encompass workers' living and education standards. The standards remain as varied as the organizations that seek to promote or certify fair trade products, critics say. He also belongs to the Fair Trade Federation and buys into other organizations to authenticate his principles. But for him, the best proof is his own remarkable relationship with his artists. Farrell has lent money for supplies to his artists.
  • Maligned Village I subdivision making a comeback
    Mar 7, 2010 — The Modesto Bee
    It's very positive for Village I." That rosy scenario counters the narrative of what happened at Village I in the early 2000s. It's making a comeback," Sinclair said. The comeback came at a high price, remembers for- mer City Manager George Britton. History will decide if they were right." With new revenue sources in place, the city was well- positioned when the economic downturn hit.
  • Ventura County Star, Calif., Colleen Cason column: Cason Point
    Mar 7, 2010 — Ventura County Star
    Ventura County officials would never be so silly. Complimentary doughnuts are a waiting-room fixture across Ventura County and the rest of these United States. B&B is under order to cease and desist the doughnut giveaway.
  • What happens to Haiti when 'the good doctors' leave?
    Mar 7, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
    The foreign doctors and nurses are still swamped, however, spending an increasing amount of time and supplies treating regular ailments not related to the earthquake. The IMC has doctors and nurses working in continuous shifts of about 20 people and is coordinating the overall foreign aid response at the hospital. Similarly, the fivefold increase in the size of the Doctors Without Borders staff since the earthquake cannot be maintained for long, Van Dillen said.
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