Latest California Healthline Stories
Lawmakers To Address Proposed Budget Cuts, Pension Reform Plan
State lawmakers soon will consider making cuts to government programs and reforming the public pension system. Democrats have rejected some cost-cutting proposals in Gov. Brown’s budget plan, as well as his pension reform plan. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Holder Affirms Federal Courts’ Powers, Defends Obama’s Comments
In response to a request by a federal appeals judge, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder formally confirmed the ability of federal courts to overturn federal law and defended recent comments by President Obama on the Supreme Court’s review of the federal health reform law. New York Times et al.
Study: Access to Quality Care a Challenge for S.D. Latinos
Latino residents of San Diego County are facing difficulties accessing quality health care and other services, according to a new study by the National Latino Research Center at California State University-San Marcos. NLRC Director Arcela Nuñez-Alvarez said the problem could affect the broader San Diego population in coming years. U-T San Diego.
Consumers Union To Help Review Insurers’ Rate Hikes
The California Department of Managed Health Care has awarded a $225,000 contract to Consumers Union to help DMHC evaluate health insurers’ proposed premium rate increases. The contract is funded by the federal health reform law. Although DMHC is not authorized to reject proposed premium rate hikes, legislation that went into effect in 2011 gives the agency the power to review insurers’ proposals and make recommendations. Payers & Providers.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of April 6, 2012
Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center and Anthem Blue Cross have reached a tentative deal that would allow the hospital to rejoin Anthem’s network. Palomar Health System and CSI Financial Services will give Palomar patients with no insurance or high copayments the option of long-term financing.
Lack of Services in Calif. Communities Associated With Public Health Risks
California residents of low-income unincorporated communities lack basic services that could help curb chronic health conditions. Experts say residents in communities with poor infrastructure experience high rates of diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. California Watch.
Aetna Proceeds With Rate Hike Despite Pressure From State
Insurer Aetna plans to continue with a premium rate hike for small business workers, even though California’s insurance commissioner has deemed the increase excessive. State officials are seeking the authority to reject certain rate hikes. Sacramento Bee et al.
MedPAC Approves Plan To Limit Out-of-Pocket Costs for Beneficiaries
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission has approved a plan for limiting out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries. The proposal recommends creating a new fee-for-service design that would include a combined deductible for inpatient and outpatient services. Modern Healthcare et al.
SAG-AFTRA Must Develop Combined Health Plan
As of this week, the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of TV and Radio Artists are operating as a joint union, but members still must negotiate how to combine the groups’ respective health plans. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
FDA Finds New Batch of Fake Cancer Drug Avastin in U.S.
FDA officials said they have discovered a new batch of a counterfeit version of the cancer drug Avastin circulating in the U.S. The newly discovered batch of the fake drug bears Roche’s name and is labeled as Altuzan, the brand name of the unapproved version of Avastin sold in Turkey. FDA this week said it has confirmed that U.S. health care practices have purchased the fakes, but the agency did not identify the practices. Wall Street Journal.