Latest California Healthline Stories
Postal Service Could Default on Retiree Health Benefits
During a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on Tuesday, U.S. Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said the U.S. Postal Service is on “the brink of a default.” Donahoe warned that if the problem is not resolved by Sept. 30, USPS will be unable to pay a $5.5 billion retiree health benefit payment due this month. Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry, who also testified at the hearing, said the White House will include a financial rescue plan for USPS in its upcoming deficit-reduction package. Berry added that the Obama administration is seeking to delay the retiree benefits payment deadline by 90 days. Christian Science Monitor et al.
Editorial: Gov. Brown Should Sign BPA Ban Bill Into Law
Now that a bill to prohibit the sale, manufacturing or distribution of infant bottles or cups containing bisphenol-A is on Gov. Brown’s desk, “[w]e urge him to sign it,” a Ventura County Star editorial states. Researchers have linked BPA to numerous health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease and abnormal growth, the editorial notes. It adds that the bill would serve as a “measured response to the serious potential dangers posed by this plastic additive.” Ventura County Star.
GOP Candidates Spar Over Health Issues in Calif. Debate
During a debate at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, Calif., on Wednesday night, candidates for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination briefly discussed health care issues. They touched on former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s statewide health care overhaul and the high uninsurance rate in Gov. Rick Perry’s state of Texas. Perry called the Massachusetts overhaul a failure and an example of how an individual insurance mandate does not work. He also blamed the federal government for Texas’ high uninsurance rate, saying federal officials did not provide the state with enough flexibility in designing its own health care solutions. AP/Sacramento Bee et al.
Stanford Hospitals & Clinics Ends Contract With Anthem
On Sept. 1, Stanford Hospital & Clinics terminated its health benefits agreement with Anthem Blue Cross after the two organizations were unable to reach an agreement on reimbursement rates. Anthem has sent members a four-page “Frequently Asked Questions” letter outlining the coverage changes. Contra Costa Times.
Whistleblower Lawsuit Accuses Drug Firms of Overcharging Medicaid
The U.S. Attorney’s office has joined a lawsuit that charges three generic drugmakers with improperly convincing pharmacies to dispense more costly medications. The suit claims the firms overcharged Medicaid by millions of dollars. AP/Washington Post.
Hospital EDs Struggling To Care for More Mental Health Patients
More patients with mental health issues are seeking care in emergency departments when many EDs are dealing with budget cuts and crowding issues. Hospitals say a Los Angeles County policy could exacerbate the ED crowding issue. Los Angeles Times.
Ventura County Opens Mental Health Rehabilitation Facility
Last week, a short-term rehabilitation center for individuals with mental health issues opened in Ventura County. The 15-bed Anka-Ventura Crisis Residential Treatment Center is designed to provide treatment to those who need more intensive care than what is offered in outpatient settings but do not require psychiatric hospital care. The center is designed for adults ages 18 to 60. Ventura County Star.
Bill Banning BPA in Infant Products Heads to Governor
On Tuesday, the California Assembly voted 42-19 to pass a Senate-approved bill that would prohibit beginning in July 2013 the sale, manufacture or distribution of infant bottles or cups containing bisphenol A. The plastic chemical, also known as BPA, has been linked in laboratory tests to health problems. The bill now proceeds to Gov. Brown, who has not publicly taken a stance on the measure. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert,” AP/San Jose Mercury News.
Health Industry Likely To Back Automatic Cuts Over New Budget Plan
Analysts say the health care industry likely will call for the new debt panel to allow automatic spending cuts to take effect rather than develop new proposals because any entitlement cuts proposed by the panel likely would be deeper than the automatic cuts. Reuters et al.
Measure Would Require Women To Be Told of Breast Tissue Condition
Legislation that would require physicians to tell women if they have extremely dense breast tissue has sparked debate over treatment costs and right-to-know issues. The appearance of the dense tissue could mask potentially cancerous tumors. San Jose Mercury News.