Latest California Healthline Stories
WellPoint’s Fulfillment of $30M Commitment to Uninsured Questioned
In 2007, WellPoint pledged that its charitable foundation would spend $30 million over three years in an effort to aid uninsured residents. However, tax filings, promotional materials and other information suggest that the insurer has not fulfilled its goal. Los Angeles Times.
State Considering High-Tech Cameras To Curb In-Home Care Fraud
State officials are considering purchasing $5,000 devices to fingerprint and photograph Californians enrolled in the In-Home Supportive Services program. Officials say a new law allows them to obtain such data as part of fraud prevention efforts. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Survey: Obesity Continues To Burden Public Health System
A new federal survey on health behaviors suggests that obesity continues to drive up health care costs and contribute to chronic health issues in the U.S. The survey also found that smoking and binge drinking rates declined slightly between 2005 and 2007. NPR’s “All Things Considered.”
Santa Monica Physicians Draw Attention for New Fees
Beginning April 1, the Pacific Heart Institute physician group will charge some patients fees ranging from $500 to $7,500 to help offset recent cuts to Medicare reimbursements and help support e-mail communication with doctors and other services. The American College of Cardiology is suing to block some of the Medicare cuts. Kaiser Health News.
Small Businesses See Promise in ‘Three-Share’ Health Insurance Model
Under a “three-share” health insurance model, a monthly premium is divided equally among an employer, a worker and the community. At least five states are using federal grant funds to launch or expand three-share programs for employees of small businesses. Kaiser Health News.
Democrats Back ‘Deem and Pass’ Strategy Amid Strong GOP Opposition
The “deem and pass” approach would allow the House to declare the Senate health reform bill as “passed” without holding a vote. Democrats are defending the strategy as consistent with former practice, while Republicans are calling it unprecedented. Washington Post et al.
Massachusetts Officials Eye Care Provider Payment Caps
Massachusetts lawmakers on Tuesday indicated that they are likely to cap payments to hospitals and doctors as part of an effort to keep rising health spending in check. Gov. Deval Patrick (D) recently filed a measure that would permit state officials to reject rates set by care providers and insurers, while lawmakers and administration officials also have unveiled similar health care cost-control plans. Boston Globe.
Governor, Legislature at Odds Over Budget Proposals
Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed most of a legislative package that the Legislature approved in a special session on the budget, resulting in what Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg has described as a “mini-budget impasse.” Legislative Democrats hope to avoid cuts to health and human services programs by closing tax loopholes and improving tax collections. Ventura County Star.
Study: Californians Paying More for Employer-Backed Coverage
A new study from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation finds that the percentage of California workers with job-based coverage declined between 2000 and 2008, while workers who retained coverage contributed more toward premiums. During that time, more residents also purchased individual insurance policies or enrolled in public health programs. San Francisco Chronicle, Modern Healthcare.
Hill Physicians Medical Group Jumping in to Merger Talks
On Monday, Hill Physicians Medical Group and Physicians Integrated Medical Group announced that they are considering a merger. Hill already is the largest independent physician association in Northern California. San Francisco Business Times.