Latest California Healthline Stories
Bill Would Tax Sweetened Drinks Sold in California
Citing rising rates of obesity and obesity-related diseases, Sen. Dean Florez introduced legislation on Thursday that would add a one cent tax per teaspoon of sugar in sweetened beverages. Revenue from the bill would fund obesity prevention programs in schools. San Jose Mercury News, Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Analysis Finds Medicaid Seeing Largest Single-Year Enrollment Jump
A new analysis finds that Medicaid has added more than three million people to its rolls during the year ending in June 2009, bringing total enrollment to 46.8 million beneficiaries. The increase is the largest single-year enrollment increase for Medicaid. Washington Post et al.
Senate Passes Partial Budget Package, Cuts to Prison Health Care
Yesterday, the California Senate approved a package of bills aimed at reducing the state’s $20 billion budget deficit. The package included a measure designed to reduce state prison health care spending by about $811 million. AP/San Jose Mercury News et al.
California To Receive $675M in Budget Aid for Medicare Part D
California is set to receive $675 million in budget relief through a temporary federal formula change for the Medicare prescription drug benefit. The change will allow California to contribute less to cover drug costs for residents dually eligible for Medicare and Medi-Cal. San Francisco Business Times et al.
Court To Hear Case Accusing Anthem of Treatment Denials
A case heading to Los Angeles Superior Court is bringing greater attention to how health insurance companies determine whether to authorize treatment. The case involves a California man who sued Anthem Blue Cross of California over policies that he said prevented him from obtaining a timely liver transplant. Los Angeles Daily Journal.
Rural Clinics Feel Strain of Cuts, Uncompensated Care
Rural health care centers in California are continuing to struggle under the weight of the ongoing economic downturn and recent state budget cuts. At the same time, many community clinics are reporting an uptick in the amount of uncompensated care they provide to uninsured and underinsured residents. Central Valley Business Times.
HHS Report: California Among Several States Seeing Premium Hikes
Yesterday, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius released a report showing that six insurance companies have sought double-digit premium hikes for individual policyholders during the past year. The report aims to highlight the need for national health reform. Washington Post et al.
Advocates Spar Over Effectiveness of 2004 Nursing Home Law
A California nursing home association says AB 1629 has helped boost nursing home staffing hours. Meanwhile, other advocates say the measure has not led to an increase in long-term care quality. The law is set to expire in the middle of next year. Chico Enterprise-Record.
Santa Cruz Area Rx Disposal Effort in Search of Funding
An effort by Santa Cruz County and several cities to collect and dispose of unused prescription drugs and other medical materials is set to run out of funding next month. The effort has collected more than 15,000 pounds of medical waste since 2007. Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Editorial: Calif. Might Need To Regulate Insurance Rates
If Congress does not enact national health care reform legislation, states might need to give themselves the authority to oversee rate increases for health insurance to avoid major hikes like the ones proposed by Anthem Blue Cross, an editorial states. The California Senate failed to pass such a measure in 2007. Sacramento Bee.