Latest California Healthline Stories
Issa: HHS Improperly Funding Exchange ‘Assisters’ Program
Rep. Darrel Issa of California sent a letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, accusing the department of violating a ban on the use of federal funds for an “in-person assisters” program in states that will operate their own health insurance exchanges. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
County, State Officials Reach Agreement on Expanding Medi-Cal
State lawmakers and county officials have reached an agreement on how to split the costs of expanding Medi-Cal. Under the plan, counties would pay back a collective $300 million next year and then select from two formulas for splitting future costs. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
UnitedHealthcare Sued Over Mail-Order Rx Program
California advocacy group Consumer Watchdog has filed a lawsuit against UnitedHealthcare, alleging that the insurer’s mail-order prescription program is discriminatory under state civil rights law and threatens the health and safety of HIV/AIDS patients. The lawsuit is seeking statewide class certification, a court order to prevent implementation of the mail-order requirement, damages and attorney’s fees. Sacramento Business Journal, Payers & Providers.
Boxer Pushes for Health Funds for Uninsured Immigrants
Sen. Barbara Boxer is pushing for an amendment to an immigration bill before the U.S. Senate that would provide at least $250 million to help state and local governments cover the cost of health care for uninsured immigrants seeking legal status. The immigration legislation would prevent the use of federal funding on health care for undocumented immigrants. Los Angeles Times‘ “Politics Now,” KPCC‘s “Represent!”
Anthem, UC Reach Deal on Covered California Offerings
Anthem Blue Cross and the University of California have announced an agreement to add five UC medical centers and 5,000 affiliated physicians to Anthem’s offerings in Covered California, the state’s health insurance exchange. The five medical centers are UC-San Francisco Medical Center, UC-Davis Medical Center and hospitals at UCLA, UC-Irvine and UC-San Diego. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area Biz Talk.”
U.S. Lawmakers Seek To Cut Medicare, Medicaid Fraud
Bipartisan House and Senate legislation seeks to save billions of dollars through numerous reforms aimed at reducing abuse, fraud, and waste in Medicare and Medicaid. Among other changes, the bills would boost efforts to reduce improper payments, increase penalties for Medicare and Medicaid fraud, and require Medicare officials to educate beneficiaries on how to detect waste and fraud. The Hill‘s “Floor Action Blog.”
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of June 14, 2013
Washington Hospital and UC-San Francisco Medical Center have agreed to a partnership that aims to expand services for students and patients. The California Health Care Facility, a $900 million prison hospital, is nearing completion and likely will accept its first patients early next month.
U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin To Resign in July
On Wednesday, U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin announced she will resign in July. HHS confirmed the news, noting Benjamin’s influence on “the health and lives of Americans across the country” by leading efforts to promote walking and reduce tobacco use. Politico, Modern Healthcare.
Jones Wants Anthem Excluded From Small Business Exchange
Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones is urging Covered California to bar Anthem Blue Cross from the health exchange’s small business market because the insurer imposed several “excessive and unreasonable” rate hikes. Los Angeles Times et al.
UCSD Launches Telemedicine Pilot To Reduce ED Wait Times
The UC-San Diego Health System has begun a telemedicine pilot program aimed at reducing emergency department wait times. The program will allow offsite, on-call physicians to examine a patient’s eyes, ears, nose, throat and skin via videoconferencing when the ED is busy. In addition, the remote physician will be able to listen to a patient’s heart and lungs, as well as order and review laboratory and imaging tests. FierceHealthIT, U-T San Diego.