Latest California Healthline Stories
County Progress Reports Show Statewide Gains in Health Status Indicators
On Thursday, the California Department of Public Health released its County Health Status Profiles 2010, which found that mortality rates associated with certain cancers, heart disease and stroke are on the decline. Ventura County Star, Orange County Register‘s “Healthy Living.”
Report: Many Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries in Lower-Rated Plans
A new Avalere Health report finds that nearly half of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are enrolled in plans that received medium-to-fair quality ratings, while 23% are enrolled in plans that earned very good to excellent quality scores. AP/San Francisco Chronicle, CQ HealthBeat.
Schwarzenegger Promises Quick Action To Implement Reform Law
On Thursday, Gov. Schwarzenegger broke with other GOP leaders and pledged support for the federal health reform law. The governor said California will take swift action to set up a high-risk insurance pool and enact other provisions included in the law. Los Angeles Times et al.
U.S. Confidence in Obtaining Health Care Slipping
U.S. residents’ confidence in their ability to access and pay for health care services is decreasing, according to the Thomson Reuters Consumer Healthcare Sentiment Index published on Wednesday. Health care confidence in March decreased by three points compared with December 2009, the index found. The survey is based on 3,000 individuals interviewed via telephone each month about their health care behaviors, attitudes and utilization habits. Reuters.
Health Net To Oversee Medi-Cal Managed Care Benefits in Central Calif.
The Fresno-Kings-Madera Regional Health Authority has provided Health Net with a contract to administer its CalViva Health managed care plan for Medi-Cal beneficiaries. Anthem Blue Cross of California also offers a local Medi-Cal managed care plan. Payers & Providers, Fresno Bee.
Calif. Lawmakers Seek More Health Care Funds From Federal Officials
Next week, Assembly Speaker John Pérez and Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg plan to meet with White House officials and congressional leaders about securing funds to implement the health reform law and other programs. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert” et al.
Ventura County Reopens Enrollment for Low-Cost Public Health Program
This week, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors ended a one-year enrollment freeze for its Access Coverage Enrollment plan, which provides health coverage for low-income, uninsured adults who do not qualify for Medi-Cal or other public insurance programs. Ventura County Star.
Demand for No-Cost Care Spikes After End of Denti-Cal
A clinic offering no-cost health services in Los Angeles experienced an overwhelming demand for dental services during its first day in operation, and 115 people were told to return Monday, the last day of the temporary clinic, operated by Tennessee-based Remote Area Medical. The increased need for dental care is likely linked to the elimination of adult Denti-Cal coverage, organizers said. Los Angeles Times.
Feinstein Pressures WellPoint To Abandon Premium Hike Plans
Yesterday, Sen. Dianne Feinstein asked WellPoint to call off plans to raise premiums by up to 39% for individual policyholders who are members of its subsidiary Anthem Blue Cross of California. Also yesterday, WellPoint announced that its first quarter profits increased 51% compared with the same period last year. San Francisco Chronicle, AP/Miami Herald.
California State University-Sacramento Wins NIH Grant
On Tuesday, Rep. Doris Matsui announced that NIH has awarded California State University-Sacramento $329, 114 for clinical research on neurological disorders. The grant funding comes from NIH’s Academic Research Enhancement Award. Sacramento Business Journal.