Latest California Healthline Stories
Drug Industry Lobbying Chief Tauzin To Resign From Post
Billy Tauzin has announced plans to retire from his post as President and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the major lobbying arm of the drug industry. Tauzin is credited with helping to forge a deal with the Obama administration to back federal health care reform legislation. Sources say Tauzin chose to resign for personal reasons. Los Angeles Times.
Advocacy Group Report Sees Increase in Insurer Profit, Drop in Members
Health Care for America Now released a report indicating that the nation’s five largest health insurers saw their profits increase by more than 50% from 2008 to 2009 while shedding 2.7 million members from private plans. Los Angeles Times, CQ HealthBeat.
Reid Pressing Ahead With Jobs Bill Without Health Care Provisions
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is pushing for a vote on a more narrowly targeted bill aimed at spurring job growth rather than more expansive legislation that also would have addressed Medicare payments to doctors and extended COBRA subsidies. CongressDaily et al.
WellPoint Responds to Criticisms of Anthem Blue Cross Rate Hikes
Yesterday, WellPoint sent a letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius explaining Anthem Blue Cross of California’s plan to raise premiums for individual policyholders. WellPoint said the rate hikes are necessary because of rising health care costs and shrinking enrollment pools. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Ambulance Service Reaches Deal in Calaveras County
The president of the American Legion Ambulance service has agreed to let fire departments in parts of Calaveras County covered by an exclusive agreement with the firm transport sick or injured patients if ambulances will not be able to respond quickly. The firm’s contract will come up for renewal in July. Stockton Record.
Mass. Governor Floats Bill To Curb Health Care Rate Hikes
This week, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick proposed legislation that would provide the state insurance commissioner with the authority to limit health care cost increases. The measure would allow state officials to review and reject prices charged by hospitals, health care providers and health insurance companies if their rates climb faster than levels of medical inflation. Health care provider groups are expected to oppose the legislation. Boston Globe.
Few Eligible Californians Have Enrolled in Health Care Tax Credit Program
Fewer than one-third of eligible Californians have signed up for a federal health care tax credit program administered by the Internal Revenue Service. IRS officials are holding meetings across the country in an effort to increase awareness of the benefits. Los Angeles Times.
Battle Over Cuts to Cancer Screening Effort Heats Up in Assembly
Assembly Budget Committee Chair Noreen Evans on Monday criticized the Schwarzenegger administration’s decision to make cuts to the state’s Every Woman Counts program, which offers no-cost breast cancer screening and other services to low-income women. Capitol Weekly.
Other Insurers Scrutinized for Raising Premium Rates
In addition to Anthem Blue Cross of California, other insurers are drawing scrutiny from federal and state lawmakers over recent premium increases. Meanwhile, therapists are raising objections to Anthem’s recently reduced reimbursement rates for occupational, physical and speech therapy. San Francisco Chronicle.
FDA Advocates Call for Higher Federal Budget Allocations
Although FDA’s budget is slated to grow to $4 billion under President Obama’s fiscal year 2011 budget proposals, some groups say the agency needs a higher allocation. Advocates say FDA should receive more funding because it plays a critical role in ensuring the safety of drugs, food and other products. Los Angeles Times.