Latest California Healthline Stories
Columnist Criticizes Blue Shield Letter on Payments
Blue Shield of California recently sent a letter to members informing them that the company is changing its reinstatement policy for members who miss their premium payments, but columnist David Lazarus asserts that the insurer’s letter did not include appropriate information. Blue Shield is sending a new letter clarifying that the company continues to offer a 28-day grace period for missed payments. Los Angeles Times.
Premiums for CalPERS Long-Term Care Plans Could Jump by 22%
Today, the full CalPERS board will vote on a proposal that would increase long-term care insurance premiums by as much as 22%. The move to raise premiums is being motivated by steep losses in the CalPERS long-term care insurance fund. Sacramento Bee.
Senate’s Reform Bill Likely Won’t Include Medicare Buy-In Option
A compromise negotiated by Democratic senators last week looks like it’s headed out the window after Sen. Joseph Lieberman said he would join a Republican filibuster of the bill if it would let people ages 55 to 64 buy in to Medicare. Politico et al.
Small Businesses Could Be Helped by Health Reform
Small businesses in California could benefit from national health reform because current proposals would allow them to pool together to get lower premiums to provide coverage to their workers. In addition, overhaul legislation in both chambers would allow businesses with fewer than 10 employees to deduct as much as half of what they contribute to their employees’ health premiums. About 43% of California’s uninsured residents work for employers who have fewer than 10 employees. Sacramento Bee.
Study Points to Cutbacks in Women’s Cancer Screenings
Low-income women in at least 20 states no longer have adequate or convenient access to essential cancer screening services as a result of the economic recession and diminished levels of health coverage, according to a recent study by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. The study found that at least 14 states facing significant budget constraints were forced to turn away women who normally would qualify for no-cost mammograms and Pap tests. AP/Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Reports Reach Different Conclusions on Reform Bill’s Effect on Spending
Yesterday, the White House Council of Economic Advisers put out a study concluding that the Senate’s health care reform proposal would slow down increases in health care spending, but a new Lewin Group report found that health care spending would increase in the long run. New York Times‘ “Prescriptions” et al.
Reform To Address Disparities Via Unprecedented Programs
Both the House and Senate health reform bills would allot billions of dollars for unprecedented programs to help address health disparities. The House bill would provide $33.9 billion over five years and the Senate bill would give $15 billion over 10 years for health programs, including opening grocery stores in neighborhoods without one, hiring security guards for dangerous neighborhood parks, extending hours for school gyms or playgrounds, or providing nutritionists to help students make healthy food decisions. Contra Costa Times.
CMS Questions California Tax on Insurers To Fund Kids’ Coverage
Although it appeared that California lawmakers threw Healthy Families a life vest earlier this year, the program might be at risk of sinking once more. In a recent letter, CMS officials took issue with a bill designed to restore funding to the program by taxing insurers that administer benefits for Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
PBS Special Tackles Policy, Scientific Issues of H1N1 Flu
A new documentary examines the H1N1 influenza outbreak, highlighting lessons public health officials and other policymakers could learn from the experience. The documentary also addresses the science behind the pandemic. PBS.
Kelso Says State Budget Issues Placing Strain on Prison Health Care Staff
During a Monday news conference, federal receiver J. Clark Kelso said unrealistic state budgets are contributing to staffing pressures in the prison health care system. Kelso spoke in response to a recent Sacramento Bee investigation of the prison medical system. Sacramento Bee.