Federal health officials rejected California's bid to charge Medi-Cal copayments for everything from drugs to hospital visits, dealing a new blow to the state budget but relief to low-income patients and their providers. The Sacramento Bee

The time may come when physical or cognitive limitations make independent living impossible for the elderly, and in those cases skilled-nursing care might be the only option. But until then, there are steps you can take to make your parents' home safer, their lives in it easier — and your concerns about them a little less daunting. Los Angeles Times

Americans spent about $8,400 per person on health care in 2010, almost double the spending in 2000. "It's 17.6 percent of our gross domestic product – twice that of any other country. Yet we don't provide care to the same number of people as do other countries, and our health is not as good," said Virginia Hood, president of the American College of Physicians. Daily News (Los Angeles)

As a result of a severe cash-flow shortage, the state of California will delay payments to long-term care facilities and many other Medi-Cal providers during March. Officials at the Department of Health Care Services acknowledged that the payment interruption will be difficult for health-care providers already buffeted by budget cuts but asserted that, as the state’s second largest general-fund expenditure, Medi-Cal must be part of the state’s budget solution. California Department of Health Care Services

CAHF member Life Care Centers of America has reduced rehospitalization of its nursing-facility residents by keeping full-time physicians on staff – a key achievement as the medical community strives to prevent patients from experiencing relapses. Provider

To date, 397 3.2 NHPPD surveys have been completed at various facilities throughout the state. CAHF would appreciate your feedback on a survey about your 3.2-audit experience.  This information will be aggregated and shared with the Department of Public Health during ongoing discussion on this important topic. Please also contact Mary Jann at CAHF, (916) 441-6400, ext. 227, mjann@cahf.org. Visit the CAHF 3.2 NHPPD website as well for further updates.