Latest California Healthline Stories
Senate Panel Studies Options To Curb Fraud in Medicare, Medicaid
Yesterday, the Senate Judiciary Committee convened a hearing to consider options for curbing Medicare and Medicaid fraud. Democratic committee members announced new legislation to combat fraud, and administration officials highlighted new efforts. Wall Street Journal et al.
New York Reverses Course on Mandatory H1N1 Vaccination
New York Gov. David Paterson last week suspended a new rule that would require health care workers in the state to receive seasonal or H1N1 influenza vaccinations. The rule had been temporarily halted a few weeks ago after nurses in the state sued to block its implementation. Paterson said the decision was a result of a shortage of flu vaccinations, but encouraged health workers to voluntarily obtain flu shots as an infection control measure. HealthLeaders Media.
Judge: State Agency Must Keep Up Oversight of Nursing Home Care
Earlier this week, a Superior Court judge ordered the California Department of Public Health to continue submitting reports about the status of its investigations into nursing home violations. The order stems from complaints about the agency’s enforcement delays. Oakland Tribune.
Molina Healthcare Reports Drop in Third-Quarter Income
Long Beach-based Molina Healthcare announced third-quarter net income of $8.6 million, a 45% drop from 2008. The managed care plan reported a 16% increase in premium revenue, but company officials said income losses, pressure on government programs and higher medical expenses because of H1N1 flu contributed to the drop in income. Payers & Providers.
Union Nurses Back Off Threat To Strike; Negotiations Go On
A strike scheduled for more than 16,000 registered nurses in California and Nevada represented by the California Nurses Association labor union over salary issues, benefits and safety practices in regard to H1N1 influenza has been postponed. CNA had called for the strike at nearly 40 facilities run by Catholic Healthcare West, Daughters of Charity Health System and St. Joseph Health System chains. Representatives from CNA and the hospital systems are continuing negotiations. Merced Sun-Star, San Mateo County Times.
Report Gives California Insurers Mixed Scores for Preventive Care
The National Committee for Quality Assurance’s new report finds that California health plans scored above average for asthma treatment and cancer screening. State insurers scored below average for pediatric sore throat treatment and patient monitoring. Payers & Providers.
Philanthropist Pledges Funds To Reopen King Hospital
On Wednesday, Patrick Soon-Shiong pledged to provide a $100 million guaranty to the UC Board of Regents to underwrite Los Angeles County’s plan for UC to help reopen Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Hospital in Watts. The facility ended inpatient services two years ago after it failed a series of federal inspections. Soon-Shiong will discuss his proposal with UC regents on Nov. 19. Los Angeles Times.
Opinion: Health Reform Could Hinder Vision Benefits System
Although “the current health care system is broken and needs to be fixed,” the U.S. vision insurance system is a “shining example upon which Congress should base the reforms they are now examining,” argues Rob Lynch, president and CEO of the not-for-profit vision benefits plan VSP Global. Current reform proposals would eliminate stand-alone vision benefits plans — which cover 100 million U.S. residents — by requiring that eye care be bundled with medical insurance. Lynch concludes, “Killing stand-alone vision plans will decrease competition, increase taxes, increase costs and ultimately hinder Americans from receiving critical vision care.” Sacramento Bee.
House Leaders Roll Out Merged Health Care Reform Legislation
This morning, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democratic leaders announced a health care reform proposal that merges plans approved by three House committees. The proposal calls for a government-run health plan, an expansion of Medicaid and a tax on high-income households to help fund reform efforts. Washington Post et al.
Opinion: Disability Reform Needed With Health Reform
Although the “pervasive problem of bad faith denials by disability insurers” has been “largely absent” in the debate over health reform, disability reform should not be ignored because “there are strong parallels between the disability and health insurance markets,” argues Brietta Clark, a professor of law at Loyola Law School and a member of the LACMA-LACBA Joint Committee on Biomedical Ethics. She concludes, “Without meaningful reform, people already struggling to cope with disabling medical conditions will continue to suffer preventable and potentially irreparable financial and health consequences.” Los Angeles Daily Journal.