Latest California Healthline Stories
CalPERS Developing New Pilot Program To Assist in Diabetes Management
CalPERS is working with Blue Shield of California, UC-San Francisco’s School of Pharmacy and Raley’s pharmacies to develop a program to help members with diabetes better manage their condition by meeting with pharmacists. Sacramento Business Journal.
Opinion: Make Insurers Pay for Immunization Treatment
The recent surge in cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, in California underscores the need for individuals to receive immunization and booster shots and highlights the “chronic under-reimbursement” health care providers receive from health insurers, according to state Sen. Tony Strickland and Bill Mason, chief medical quality officer at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. The writers endorse AB 2093, which would require insurers to provide sufficient reimbursement for health care providers who administer childhood immunizations. Ventura County Star.
Questions Raised Over Effects of New Anti-Fraud Rules for IHSS
Sacramento County officials say the Schwarzenegger administration might be overstating the number of ineligible caregivers uncovered through new anti-fraud screening efforts for the In-Home Supportive Services program. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Caregivers See Promise in Medicare Home Care Project
Family members and others who care for seniors could see benefits from the Independence at Home project, a three-year pilot program funded through the health reform law. For the project, health care professionals will visit ill Medicare beneficiaries at their homes in an effort to coordinate care and reduce costs. The project is scheduled to begin by January 2012 and will involve 10,000 Medicare beneficiaries with the most serious health conditions. Kaiser Health News/NPR’s “Shots.”
Governor Wants Unions Kept Out of Minimum Wage Battle
The Schwarzenegger administration has filed a court brief to prevent state employee unions from joining the discussions over changes to workers’ pay. The brief argues that the unions — which support Controller John Chiang’s push to block lowering hourly state workers’ pay to the minimum wage — have not proved why they should be involved in the discussions. Sacramento Bee‘s “The State Worker.”
DMHC Revives Solvency Board To Review Effects of Health Reform Law
The Department of Managed Health Care has reinstated its Financial Solvency Standards Board to review how the national health overhaul could affect California. The board also will gauge the financial solvency of hundreds of medical groups. Payers & Providers.
Unions Continue To Spar Over Stalled Elections To Represent Kaiser Staff
Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West said the National Union of Healthcare Workers refused to sign an agreement to hold elections among Kaiser Permanente workers. NUHW blames SEIU for the impasse. San Francisco Business Times.
Public Workers Seeing Higher Costs for Health Benefits in California
In response to ongoing budget deficits, state and local governments are pressuring public employee unions to pay more for health coverage. Some unions have authorized the state to deduct a portion of their salaries to prefund retiree health benefits. Sacramento Bee.
FCC Seeks To Distribute $400M To Boost Rural Health Care Networks
The Federal Communications Commission is set to vote today on a plan to allot $400 million to strengthen health care networks, particularly in rural areas. The funding stems from FCC’s National Broadband Plan. Washington Post‘s “Post Tech,” The Hill‘s “Hillicon Valley.”
White House Unveils New Rules on No-Cost Preventive Services
Yesterday, federal officials announced new rules requiring insurers to provide certain screenings and laboratory tests without cost-sharing by patients. The requirements were created as part of the health reform law. New York Times, Kaiser Health News/Washington Post.