Latest California Healthline Stories
San Francisco Mayor Shelves Plan for Tax on Sugary Drinks
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has called off plans to levy a fee on sugary drinks sold by retailers. However, Newsom said he is considering other ways to discourage individuals from drinking sugary beverages. San Francisco Chronicle‘s “City Insider.”
State Insurance Leaders Request Adjustment to Medical-Loss Ratio Rules
Some state insurance commissioners have asked that rules on how insurers spend premium dollars be phased in to prevent disruptions in insurance markets, adding that health plans might withdraw from the individual market if they cannot meet the rules. CQ HealthBeat et al.
IHA Releases Names of Top Performing Medical Groups in California
The Integrated Healthcare Association unveiled its list of California’s top-performing medical groups for 2009. The seven health plans that participate in IHA’s pay-for-performance program awarded a total of $52 million to top performers that year. Payers & Providers, IHA release.
Tensions Remain High Over Hospital’s Reorganization
On Tuesday, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mary Strobel directed City of Hope Medical Center and its affiliated physicians’ group — City of Hope Medical Group — to begin settlement talks next week. On October 13, a court will hold a hearing on the medical group’s petition for an injunction against the hospital. The hospital and the physicians’ group have sparred frequently during the last year after the medical center announced plans to create a not-for-profit foundation to oversee its business matters. Los Angeles Times.
Editorial Touts Bill To Boost Chance for Child-Only Policies
Provisions in the health reform law ban insurers from denying “individual policies to children with pre-existing conditions,” but “at least two major insurers — Anthem Blue Cross and Aetna — have announced that they won’t offer individual policies in California to any children who don’t already have coverage,” a Los Angeles Times editorial states. The Times writes that a bill to adjust rules for California health plans “is a reasonable compromise” to ensure coverage for children. Los Angeles Times.
Six-Month Anniversary of Health Reform Law Ushers in Changes
A number of provisions included in the federal health reform law take effect on Thursday, six months after the law was enacted. Health insurance companies are bound by several new rules, and consumers gain more strength to appeal denials of claims. New York Times et al.
California Considering Strategies To Adjust to Recent HIV/AIDS Trends
In its latest edition of “Health Dialogues,” KQED’s “California Report” examines HIV/AIDS among black communities and elderly populations, as well as recent HIV/AIDS research. KQED’s “California Report.”
San Francisco Introduces Online Report Card To Monitor Health Trends
Several public and private health groups are launching a new Web-based report card detailing the health characteristics of various San Francisco communities. Officials hope to use the data to track health trends and identify areas for improvement. San Francisco Chronicle.
S.F. Public Health Chief Eyed To Lead L.A. County Agency
Mitch Katz, director of the San Francisco Department of Public Health, recently announced that he has been recruited for a position as Los Angeles County’s health director. The appointment requires approval from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, which is scheduled to vote on the offer and its terms within the coming weeks. Katz said he is likely to accept the position if the terms of the job are satisfactory. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Legislative Leaders To Meet With Governor in Los Angeles
On Wednesday, Democratic and Republican heads of the Senate and Assembly will travel to Los Angeles to discuss the state’s overdue budget with Gov. Schwarzenegger. Lawmakers also plan to meet Thursday in Los Angeles, but that meeting is contingent on the outcome of Wednesday’s negotiations. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert,” AP/Ventura County Star.