Latest California Healthline Stories
Earnings Up at Cigna While HealthNet Reports a Loss
On Thursday, Cigna posted fourth-quarter earnings of $330 million, or $1.19 per share, compared with a loss of $209 million, or 77 cents per share, a year earlier. Meanwhile, HealthNet on Wednesday announced a net loss of $49 million for 2009. AP/Miami Herald, HealthLeaders Media.
Opinion: Single-Payer Bill Distracting From Budget Cuts
Legislation to lay the groundwork for a single-payer health care system in California is shifting attention away from proposals to address the state budget deficit by cutting spending on health care and other services, according to Jim Lott, executive vice president of the Hospital Association of Southern California. Lott called on lawmakers to “focus on the dire cuts that are almost certain to be inflicted in the immediate future.” Payers & Providers.
Stanislaus County Backs Down From Changes To Indigent Care Program
County officials say clinics will no longer require indigent care program participants to pay in advance before receiving medical services. The county is reconsidering changes to the program’s cost-sharing and eligibility requirements following a threatened legal challenge. Modesto Bee.
Anthem Blue Cross To Hike Premium Rates for Individual Policyholders
Anthem Blue Cross members are reporting that the insurer is raising premiums for individual insurance policies by as much as 39%. California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner has ordered the Department of Insurance to investigate the rate hikes. Los Angeles Times.
San Mateo County Secures Grant To Consolidate Clinics
On Thursday, Sequoia Healthcare District pledged $4.3 million to San Mateo County Health Services to help fund the consolidation of county clinics as part of a strategy to reduce long-term health care costs. County officials said there is a possibility the grant would help secure matching funds from the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health. San Francisco Business Times.
Experts: California Might Need To Go Solo on Health Care Reform
During a forum yesterday, experts noted that California might be on its own in efforts to expand health care coverage to uninsured residents. However, the state might face difficulty adding more residents to its already strained Medi-Cal program. Sacramento Bee, AP/Fresno Bee.
President Obama Lays Out Approach To Passing Health Care Reform
President Obama said that once lawmakers work out differences between House and Senate health care overhaul plans, he wants to a hold a public debate with lawmakers of both parties and independent experts on the merits of the plan. New York Times’ “Prescriptions,” AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Sacramento County OKs Deal With Home Care Workers
On Tuesday, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors approved a two-year contract for about 18,000 In-Home Supportive Services workers in the county, maintaining an hourly wage of $10.40 and letting more workers qualify for health care benefits. Gov. Schwarzenegger has proposed eliminating IHSS statewide if the federal government does not provide more funding to California. Sacramento Business Journal.
In Health Affairs Q&A, CHCF CEO Discusses Future Efforts
Mark Smith, CEO of the California HealthCare Foundation, recently sat down with Health Affairs Editor-in-Chief Susan Dentzer to discuss CHCF’s experiences working to modernize the enrollment process in public assistance programs and pushing other changes to the health care delivery system, as well as potential initiatives if national health care reform passes. Health Affairs.
Report: Public Program Cuts Could Exacerbate State’s Economic Woes
A new report finds that more Californians are seeking out public assistance programs at the same time the state is attempting to scale back such services. The report suggests that the proposed cuts could worsen the state’s economy. San Francisco Chronicle, New America Media.