CALIFORNIA: LEGISLATURE CONSIDERS SEVERAL HMO REGULATIONS
Legislation that would give physicians "sole authority toThis is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
deny procedures for patients" passed the state Assembly Health
Committee yesterday. The measure, sponsored by state
Assemblywoman Liz Figueroa (D), would also require HMOs "to
publish the criteria they use in denying specific treatments or
therapies." SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER reports that the measure "is
one of several bills moving in the Legislature as part of a push
by HMO critics." Members of the Health Committee said they hope
the bills will end up "in one conference committee where an
overall reform plan can be crafted."
OTHER LEGISLATION: Other bills being considered in the
state Legislature include a measure that would require "medical
directors who make coverage decisions affecting California
patients to hold California medical licenses." State
Assemblywoman Carole Migden (D) has proposed a measure that would
"allow a woman with breast cancer to ask for independent review
if she is denied physician-recommended treatment." Another
measure proposed by Migden would require HMOs to offer coverage
to the domestic partners of enrollees (Capps, 4/15).