Latest California Healthline Stories
House Democrats Unveil Bill To Target Medicare Part D Rx Drug Costs
Yesterday, Democrats in the House introduced a bill that would require drugmakers to provide certain prescription drug rebates. The lawmakers say the legislation would reduce the federal deficit by more than $112 billion over the next decade. CQ HealthBeat, Modern Healthcare.
Brown Vetoes State Budget Plan, Renews Push for Tax Measures
Gov. Brown vetoed a state spending plan one day after the Legislature passed it, calling the plan unbalanced and “legally questionable.” The governor said he will revive efforts to seek Republican support for his tax proposals. Sacramento Bee et al.
State Files Legal Papers Backing Requirement on Infection Reporting
The California attorney general’s office has filed legal documents defending a state requirement calling for hospitals to submit monthly reports on infections associated with 29 surgeries. The California Hospital Association is challenging the requirement. California Watch.
Calif. Groups To Launch New Accountable Care Initiative
Modesto-based AllCare IPA, Blue Shield of California and Doctors Medical Center of Modesto announced that they have teamed up for a new accountable care initiative to provide integrated health care services to about 8,000 Blue Shield HMO members. The initiative will begin Jan. 1, 2012, and last at least three years. Modern Healthcare.
Poll: Many Low-Income Californians Want More Choice in Medical Care
A new survey from the Blue Shield of California Foundation finds that 58% of low-income Californians would be interested in switching health care providers if given the choice. Of those who seek care at community clinics, 73% would be interested in changing health care providers. HealthyCal.
States Face End of Extra Federal Medicaid Funding
Officials in California and other states are preparing for the end of more than $90 billion in federal stimulus funding for Medicaid. The federal share of Medicaid spending increased to 67% with the stimulus package funding but will revert to 57% next month. To deal with the loss of federal Medicaid funding, California is cutting Medicaid payments to physicians and other health care providers by 10%, establishing higher copayments and limiting beneficiaries to seven physician visits annually. Toby Douglas, director of the California Department of Health Care Services, added that the federal Medicaid funding cut is causing “very consequential reductions in health care and other public programs.” New York Times.
Study: Children With Medicaid More Likely To Be Denied Specialist Care
A study finds that children covered by Medicaid are more likely to be denied care by specialists and face longer wait times for appointments than privately insured children. Researchers cited low Medicaid payments as a likely cause for the disparity. New York Times, AP/Washington Post.
California Parole Board Grants State’s First Medical Parole
On Wednesday, the Board of Parole Hearings for the first time granted medical parole to an inmate under a state law signed last year by former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that allows medically incapacitated inmates who no longer pose a safety threat to be released early from prison. The law is designed to save the state millions of dollars in guarding and providing care to incapacitated inmates. The parole board has 120 days to finalize its decision. In related news, a Field Poll released on Thursday found that 74% of voters support modifying a 1994 “three-strikes” law to allow for more discretion when sentencing a criminal for a third felony. The state’s three-strikes law mandates a 25 year-to-life sentence for third felony convictions. Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee.
California Legislature Approves On-Time State Budget Package
On yesterday’s budget deadline, California’s Legislature approved a spending plan with a majority vote. Democratic lawmakers crafted the package, which passed with no GOP support. The legislation now is before Gov. Brown. Sacramento Bee et al.
Commission Report Identifies Strategies To Contain Medicare Costs
A Medicare Payment Advisory Commission report offers ideas for saving billions of dollars in Medicare spending. The report urges HHS to modify Medicare’s fee-for-service payment structure and better control spending growth for imaging services. AP/Washington Post et al.