Latest California Healthline Stories
State Defends Timeline for Implementing Calif. Health Benefit Exchange
Experts participating on a health care panel this week discussed the state’s timeline for implementing a health benefit exchange under the health reform law. The general counsel for the exchange said that it will be ready by 2014 and that health plans likely will want to participate. Sacramento Business Journal.
California Nurses Endorse, Give $1M to Brown’s Tax Hike Plan
The California Nurses Association has endorsed and given $1 million to Gov. Brown’s compromise tax hike plan, while attorney Molly Munger has given $5 million to support her own tax hike plan. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert,” Contra Costa Times.
DMHC Officials Issue Cease and Desist Order to Health Care Group
The Department of Managed Health Care has issued a cease and desist order against Accountable Health Care IPA. DMHC alleges that medical group employees illegally conducted utilization reviews and made medical necessity decisions for insurers. Payers & Providers.
San Francisco VA Center To Receive New MRI Machine
The Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases at the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center is undergoing renovations to install an $8 million MRI machine. The new machine will be able to provide details about the brain and the roles that biological markers play in various cognitive ailments, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and Alzheimer’s disease. San Francisco Chronicle.
State Officials Say It Is Too Late To Reorder Nov. Ballot Measures
Attorneys for Gov. Brown’s campaign for a compromise tax hike plan and Secretary of State Debra Bowen have responded to a lawsuit by an anti-tax group by saying that it is too late to reorder November ballot initiatives. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Report: Medicaid Paid Health Care Providers Who Owed Back Taxes
A Government Accountability Office report finds that health care providers have been reimbursed by Medicaid despite owing hundreds of millions of dollars in federal taxes. The report focused on providers in Florida, New York and Texas. AP/San Francisco Chronicle, AP/Washington Times.
Former Chair of CalOptima Board Announces Resignation
On Monday, Ed Kacic sent a letter to the Orange County Board of Supervisors announcing his resignation from the board of CalOptima, Orange County’s Medi-Cal managed care plan. His resignation comes about five months after allegations surfaced that Kacic had engaged in improper dealings while serving as chair of the CalOptima board. Payers & Providers.
Reid Rejects McConnell’s Call for Reform Law Repeal Vote
On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid rejected Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s request to conduct a vote this week to repeal the federal health reform law through an amendment to a cybersecurity bill. McConnell’s call for a repeal vote came as Reid was finishing a floor speech in which he highlighted provisions of the law and discussed how the law would help women’s health. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” Politico.
Lobbyists Want To Repeal Insurance Policy Tax Hike
As lawmakers debate overhauling the U.S. tax code next year, health insurer lobbyists are hoping to convince lawmakers to repeal a provision in the federal health reform law that will raise taxes on insurance policies. The tax increase — which will be used to fund the reform law — will take effect in 2014. Politico.
Standard and Poor’s Gives Highest Rating to $10B Borrowing Effort
Standard & Poor’s has given its highest rating to $10 billion in short-term notes that California plans to start issuing on Aug. 14. The state borrows money during the first half of the fiscal year to pay for health care and other services. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”