Roundup: Judge keeps Calif. prison health care under fed control; Hospital mergers possible in Kan., Wis., Minn.

A selection of health policy stories from California, New York, Indiana, Kansas, Texas and Wisconsin.

Los Angeles Times: California's Bid To End U.S. Control Of Prison Health Care Denied
A judge has again rejected the state's request for a speedy end to federal control of prison health care. In an order issued Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson said he would require tougher reviews than the state wanted before agreeing to dissolve the receivership that has run inmate medical care for six years (Megerian, 9/6).

The New York Times: U.S. Court Halts Some Cuts For Medicaid Home Care
While not ruling on the merits of the case, a federal judge in Manhattan decided on Tuesday that the plaintiffs had a "substantial likelihood" of proving that New York City and New York State had violated federal law in cutting back on Medicaid-financed personal care for hundreds of New Yorkers ... The judge, Shira A. Scheindlin, issued a preliminary injunction ordering the city to stop reducing or terminating so-called split-shift care for certain reasons (Hartocollis, 9/5).

The Associated Press: Indiana Gets $78 Million To Pay For Seniors' Home Care
Indiana is getting $78 million to help seniors and people with disabilities live in their communities instead of nursing homes or other facilities. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced the grant Tuesday. The money was provided under the federal health care law (9/5).

Kansas Health Institute News: Hospital Report: Political Uncertainties Hinder Planning 
Among the unknowns cited in the 16-page report [released today by the Kansas Hospital Association]: The impact of the 2012 election on Medicare reform and on implementation of the Affordable Care Act, The uncertain future for federal disproportionate share payments, which compensate hospitals for treating uninsured patients who do not pay, and Whether Kansas will expand Medicaid eligibility as provided for under the ACA (9/5).

Kansas Health Institute News: Nation's Largest Catholic Health System Seeks Control Of Wichita's Via Christi
Ascension Health Alliance would gain operational control of Via Christi Health and two other Catholic health systems under a tentative agreement announced Wednesday. St. Louis-based Ascension is the largest Catholic health system in the nation, operating more than 1,400 facilities in 21 states and the District of Columbia. Wichita-based Via Christi is the largest provider of health care services in Kansas (9/5).

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Ministry Health Care May Join Ascension Health
Ministry Health Care, which has 14 hospitals in Wisconsin and one in eastern Minnesota, could become part of Ascension Health Alliance, the parent of Columbia St. Mary's Health System and the country's largest Catholic health system, under a tentative agreement announced Wednesday. ... The tentative agreement is an example of the consolidation taking place throughout the country as hospitals and health systems face growing pressure to become more efficient (Boulton, 9/5).

The Texas Tribune/KUT: Plan To Privatize State Hospital Faces Opposition
State officials this month will consider privatizing a state hospital. But the plan faces pushback from state lawmakers worried about potential conflicts of interest and other sticking points (Diaz, 9/6).