The health system operated by Ventura County, California, and three healthcare providers will pay $70.7 million to settle allegations they defrauded California’s expanded Medicaid program.
Some of the biggest hospital chains are seeing business rebound to pre-pandemic levels, but the industry as a whole is pressing for more federal relief before year's end, citing inflation, labor and supply cost pressures.
Oregon’s hospital system – and its long-term care sector – have struggled through worker shortages that have grown during the pandemic. Part of the problem, experts say, is the low reimbursement rates paid to providers which force facilities to keep salaries low, particularly in the long-term care sector. The Legislature has raised rates, but they’re still not sufficient, Fariborz Pakseresht, DHS director, said in his letter. Hospitals also struggle to find enough nurses and other professionals, with thousands of positions open across the state.
The rating reflects the project's low risk profile and solid coverage ratios, which are commensurate with a 'A' category rating. The rating also considers the project's stable availability-based revenue stream paid by a creditworthy counterparty and moderate cost risk due to cost pass-through provisions to an experienced counterparty.