Latest California Healthline Stories
CMA Chips in $106K To Back Richard Pan in Assembly Race
The California Medical Association has reported contributing $106,500 to an independent expenditure committee designed to support Democrat Richard Pan’s bid to represent the 5th Assembly district. Pan, who is a pediatrician, will face Larry Miles — a San Juan school board member — and Matt Gray — a lobbyist and former legislative aide — in the June 8 Democratic primary. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Class-Action Suit Raises Questions About Setting Out-of-Network Rates
Attorneys for a California clinic have added more than 30 defendants to a class-action lawsuit against UnitedHealth Group. The suit takes issue with the insurer’s use of its Ingenix database to calculate out-of-network payment rates for medical care. Los Angeles Daily Journal.
New Bill Seeks To Improve Maternal Health Worldwide
A new bill by Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.) aims to improve maternal and infant health in developing countries by expanding examining barriers and improving access to prenatal and post-partum care, education, family planning, and diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as HIV/AIDS. The bill also calls for research into how certain medicines affect pregnant women and infants. Ventura County Star.
Advocates Say Proposed Cuts to Healthy Families Could Violate U.S. Law
Children’s health care advocates argue that Gov. Schwarzenegger’s proposals to scale back or eliminate Healthy Families could violate the new health reform law, which requires states to maintain minimum coverage levels through 2019. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Study: Spending on Cancer Doubled Over Last 20 Years
Cancer treatment spending rose from $24.7 billion in 1987 to $48.1 billion by the end of 2005, related to an increase in the number of cancer patients, according to a new study. The study, published in the journal Cancer, also found that the proportion of cancer care costs covered by private insurance rose from 42% to 50% and the proportion of costs paid by patients declined from 17% to 8%. AP/San Diego Union-Tribune, USA Today.
Sacramento Schools Need $1B for Retirees’ Health Benefits
Only one of Sacramento County’s school districts has enough funds to pay health benefits for future retirees, while the remaining districts have about $1 billion in unfunded retiree health benefits, according to a grand jury report released on Monday. David Gordon, head of the county schools, said that the report overstates the debt and that only Sacramento City Unified has a significant funding shortage and no source to make up the gap. Sacramento Bee.
Florida Lawsuit Could Pose Real Risk to Health Reform Implementation
Although several states have challenged the new health reform law, experts say Florida’s lawsuit could be the best-positioned for success. The suit questions whether Congress can regulate inactivity by penalizing individuals who do not obtain health insurance. New York Times.
Lawmakers To Vote on Creation of Living Kidney Donor Registry
This week, the California Senate is expected to vote on a bill that would make the state the first in the U.S. to establish a living kidney donor registry. Supporters say the registry could help accelerate the donor matching process by allowing facilities to share information. Gov. Schwarzenegger and Apple CEO Steve Jobs support the measure. Ventura County Star, CNN.
Fresno County Could Close Clinic To Address Budget Gap
The Fresno County Supervisors today will consider whether to shutter the Fresno County Specialty Clinic — which provides testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, HIV treatment, and family planning services — to help close a $5 million budget gap in fiscal year 2010-2011. Under the plan, the county would continue to provide HIV testing but would end the other services. Supervisors weighed a similar plan in September 2008. Fresno Bee.
Arizona Reinstates Funds for Medicaid, Kids’ Health Care
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has signed into law a bill that will restore funding for the state’s Medicaid program and KidsCare, its Children’s Health Insurance Program. Last month, Arizona lawmakers approved a plan to eliminate KidsCare and reduce Medicaid coverage in an effort to address the state’s budget deficit. By reinstating those funds, the new law will allow Arizona to qualify for federal matching funds under the health reform law. Modern Healthcare.