Latest California Healthline Stories
More Insurers Pledge To Halt Practice of Revoking Health Insurance Plans
Health insurers and insurance industry leaders are announcing plans to stop cancelling policies, except in cases of fraud or intentional misrepresentation. Earlier this week, WellPoint and Blue Shield of California said they would end rescission practices. Politico et al.
CEO Resigns From Troubled Southwest Healthcare System
Southwest Healthcare System CEO Dennis Knox is resigning and will be replaced by Ken Rivers, CEO of Corona Medical Center, a move that is part of efforts to address problems at Southwest. The state Department of Public Health has said it intends to revoke Southwest’s license in response to charges of patient endangerment, and Southwest also is at risk of losing federal funding. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Outgoing SEIU President’s Successor Choice Drops Out
Anna Burger, the hand-picked successor of resigning Service Employees International Union President Andy Stern, has dropped out of consideration and said she would support Mary Kay Henry, currently an international executive vice president at the union. Several large SEIU chapters, including two in California, recently announced their support for Henry over Burger. The union’s international executive board will decide on the successor on May 8. Los Angeles Times.
Traveling Health Clinic Sets Up Shop in Los Angeles
A seven-day traveling clinic offering no-cost health services opened yesterday at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. The clinic, staffed with volunteer care providers and operated by Tennessee-based Remote Area Medical, treated more than 6,000 people in Los Angeles last year, and RAM founder Stan Brock said he hopes to treat even more people this year. Ventura County Star et al.
Kaiser Permanente Doles Out $7M in Grants, Donations
Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente yesterday approved more than $7 million in first quarter grants and donations to 250 organizations around the nation. The majority of the funds went to groups in Los Angeles; Oregon; Cleveland; and Washington, D.C., though no funds went to groups in Northern California or the Bay Area. San Francisco Business Times.
About Half of Americans Have Chronic Condition, CDC Report Finds
A new CDC report finds that 45% of U.S. residents have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes and that 15% of adults with one or more of those conditions have not been diagnosed. The study is based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. ABC News, Los Angeles Times.
WellPoint, Blue Shield of Calif. To Stop Rescission Practices
On Tuesday, WellPoint — the parent company of Anthem Blue Cross — and Blue Shield of California announced that they will stop rescinding health insurance policies ahead of the health reform law’s requirements. Meanwhile, House Democrats and the Obama administration are urging more insurers to voluntarily end the practice of rescissions. Los Angeles Times et al.
AHA Lobbying Against Proposed CMS Payment Cuts
The American Hospital Association is launching a lobbying campaign against CMS’ proposed inpatient prospective payment system rule for fiscal year 2011 that would reduce Medicare payments to facilities by 0.1%. The proposed rule would lower hospital Medicare payments by approximately $3.7 billion beginning next year. CQ HealthBeat.
Questions Remain Over Health Reform Law’s Effect on Farm Workers
The new health reform law could provide California farm workers with new access to health insurance coverage. However, questions remain over how provisions of the law will affect farmers and farm workers. NPR’s “Morning Edition.”
NIH Approves Federal Funding for Research on 13 Stem Cell Lines
Yesterday, NIH announced that 13 lines of human embryonic stem cells are eligible for federal funding. Four of the lines had been previously eligible for federal funding, but new ethics rules from the Obama administration raised questions over whether the lines would meet federal criteria. Washington Post.