Latest California Healthline Stories
Congress Passes ‘Corrections’ Bill; Sends Legislation to Obama
Yesterday, the Senate voted 56-43 and the House voted 220-207 to approve a package of changes to the health reform bill that President Obama signed into law on Tuesday. The so-called “corrections” bill now goes to Obama. Republicans continue to voice their opposition to the new law. Washington Post et al.
Deal To Temporarily Extend Unemployment Benefits Fails in Senate
A bipartisan deal in the Senate to temporarily extend unemployment insurance benefits, COBRA subsidies and a freeze on the scheduled cuts to physicians’ Medicare payments fell through. The benefits are set to expire April 5. The Hill, AP/Detroit Free Press.
Federal Agencies Will Finalize Details of Health Reform
Health reform legislation signed Tuesday by President Obama leaves many of the details, such as how individuals would prove they have insurance, to be determined by HHS and IRS. Coordinating those regulations across many government agencies will prove challenging. NPR’s “All Things Considered.”
Monning Named Chair of Assembly Health Committee
Assembly Speaker John Perez has appointed Assembly member Bill Monning as chair of the Assembly Health Committee. The committee has primary jurisdiction over health policy issues, such as Medi-Cal, mental health and long term care facilities. Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program. Salinas Californian.
Federal Health Reform Could Cost California $2B-$3B Annually
New coverage requirements and eligibility expansions included in national health reform legislation are expected to cost California $2 billion to $3 billion annually, according to the state’s Health and Human Services Agency. State officials are calling for an increased partnership with the federal government to cover the new health care costs. Los Angeles Times.
Riverside, San Bernardino Ready for Newly Insured
Experts say that Riverside and San Bernardino counties’ medical system is capable of handling the estimated 800,000 uninsured residents who will receive health care coverage under the new health care reform law. San Bernardino County Sun.
Parliamentary Issues Send ‘Corrections’ Bill Back to House for Revote
The discovery of two minor parliamentary problems with the health care budget reconciliation bill forced Senate Democrats to send the measure back to the House for a revote. Democrats say they are confident the revised reconciliation bill will be approved. Washington Post et al.
Health Reform Law Leaves Gap in Children’s Coverage
The recently signed health care reform law prohibits health insurers from excluding payment for a particular condition for children already covered under their plans. However, the law does not bar health plans from refusing new coverage to children because of a pre-existing condition. AP/Washington Post.
Opinion: California Hospitals Will Benefit From Reform
The California Hospital Association and the state’s congressional delegation were able to score a “great victory” for hospitals and patients as part of national health reform legislation, CHA President and CEO C. Duane Dauner writes in Payers & Providers. The two-year deal will avoid diverting Medicare payments from California hospitals to “so-called low-cost/high value states” and instead will provide $400 million in funding over two years for counties with low Medicare spending, Dauner adds. Payers & Providers.
Judge Halts Furloughs for Some State Employees
Alameda County Superior Court Judge Rank Roesch on Wednesday issued a tentative ruling that state employees whose salaries come from sources other than the state’s General Fund cannot be subject to furloughs. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) ordered furloughs as a way to address the state’s budget deficit, and the administration plans to appeal the ruling. Capitol Weekly, Sacramento Business Journal.