Latest California Healthline Stories
Health Cost Variations Less Common in Private Plans Than in Medicare
A new Health Affairs study suggests that price variations in private insurance plans are not as substantial as those in Medicare fee-for-service plans. The study authors say private insurers might be better able to discourage excessive use of medical care. CQ HealthBeat, NPR’s “Shots.”
Brown Announces Appointments for Top Health, Budget Positions
Yesterday, Gov.-elect Jerry Brown tapped Diana Dooley to serve as the next secretary of California’s Health and Human Services Agency. Brown also said he will retain Ana Matosantos as director of the Department of Finance. Sacramento Bee et al.
Filipino Employees Sue Medical Center Over English Language Rule
Fifty-two nurses and medical workers at Delano Regional Medical Center recently filed a lawsuit against the hospital, alleging that Filipinos were unfairly targeted by the hospital’s enforcement of a rule requiring them to speak only English. AP/Ventura County Star.
Solicitor General Weighs In on Supreme Court Review of Medi-Cal Case
The acting U.S. solicitor general recommended that the U.S. Supreme Court reject California’s request for a review of a lower court decision that prevented the state from implementing a 10% reduction in Medi-Cal payments as part of a budget package passed in 2008. AHA News.
Senate Leaders Roll Out Bill To Avoid Medicare Pay Cut for One Year
On Tuesday, top senators introduced legislation to put off for one year a scheduled 25% reduction in physicians’ Medicare payments. The bill is estimated to cost nearly $15 billion over 10 years, and the Senate could approve the measure today. Politico, CQ Today.
CMS Rescinds Medicare Pay Decision for Surgery Center
On Tuesday, CMS official Rufus Arther said the agency is canceling a termination notice that would have ended reimbursement payments for Medicare and Medi-Cal, at St. Joseph’s Surgery Center. The payment cessation was slated to take effect on Dec. 15. According to CMS, St. Joseph’s now has the opportunity to address issues stemming from a September inspection of the facility. Stockton Record.
Marin County Dental Clinic Target of Medi-Cal Inquiry
On Tuesday, state and federal agents shut down the Marin County Dental Services clinic. Authorities did not disclose details on why the raid was conducted, but Margaret Kisliuk — chief assistant director of the county health department — said the investigation could relate to the clinic’s improper billing to Medi-Cal. Marin Independent Journal.
Grant To Go Toward Study of Children’s Care at UC-Davis
HHS has awarded UC-Davis with a $1.4 million grant to analyze the efficacy of a quality assessment tool for pediatric patients at rural facilities. The funds also will be used to evaluate the care of more than 600 pediatric patients in 12 emergency departments as part of a federally funded research network. Sacramento Bee.
Report: Changes to Medicaid Rx Programs Could Cut Costs
State Medicaid pharmacy programs could cut their spending by more than $30 billion over the next decade if they shift away from the fee-for-service model and adopt approaches used by Medicare Part D plans, Medicaid managed care organizations and commercial plans, according to a new report from The Lewin Group. The report notes that Medicaid fee-for-service pharmacy programs use fewer generic drugs and pay pharmacies higher dispensing fees and ingredient costs than many other programs. HealthLeaders Media.
Hernandez Named Chair of Senate Health Committee
On Monday, Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg appointed Sen. Ed Hernandez as chair of the Senate Health Committee for the new legislative session. Hernandez replaces Sen. Elaine Alquist, who is taking a new post on the Senate Rules Committee. Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal.”