COMMUNITY CLINICS: Davis Signs Bill Allowing Clinics to Contract with HMOs
Gov. Gray Davis (D) signed legislation yesterday that allows community health clinics to sign contracts to provide services to public or private health plan subscribers, the AP/Sacramento Bee reports. In a statement, Davis said, "Community-based clinics are essential to California's health care system. This bill will enable clinics to continue providing much-needed health services for low-income and Medi-Cal patients." The legislation stems from a lawsuit, filed by Edward Allred, head of Family Planning Associates Medical Group, challenging Kaiser Permanente Physicians Group's decision to contract with Planned Parenthood for abortion services. Allred's group previously had the Kaiser contract. The suit contends that Planned Parenthood and other community clinics cannot participate in third-party contracts for services (6/2).
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