Latest California Healthline Stories
Senators Fire Back Over Deal in Reform Plan for 4 States
A provision in the Senate Finance Committee’s health care overhaul legislation would have the federal government cover the entire cost of expanding Medicaid for Michigan, Nevada, Oregon and Rhode Island for five years. Senators from other states want the federal government to pick up a greater share of the Medicaid expansion in their states. Politico.
Medicaid Enrollment, Spending Increases Higher Than Projected
A survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation indicated that states saw bigger than expected jumps in Medicaid enrollment and spending last year. In conjunction with revenue problems stemming from the recession, the increases pushed many states to cut payments to providers. New York Times et al.
Pharmacy Groups Sue California, Others Over Medicaid Payments
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the National Community Pharmacists Association and other smaller groups claim that California, New York and Washington state provide insufficient Medicaid reimbursements for prescription drugs. An attorney for the plaintiffs said the pharmacies could lose up to $200 million per year because of inadequate reimbursement rates. Reuters.
State Planning To Distribute H1N1 Vaccine Next Week
The federal government will send California 350,000 doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine in the first round of shipments of the vaccine. Health care providers will begin receiving doses from the state the week of Oct. 5. AP/San Diego Union-Tribune.
Senate Finance Panel Rejects Amendments for a Public Option
Some Democratic senators joined all Republican Senate Finance Committee members in voting down two amendments that would have created a government-run health plan as part of the panel’s proposal to overhaul the U.S. health care system. Supporters of the public option say they will push to add it to the bill at other steps in the legislative process. Roll Call et al.
Union Says It Has Preserved Pharmacy Jobs at Kaiser
On Tuesday, the United Healthcare Workers West unit of the Service Employees International Union announced that it has reached an agreement to preserve 150 pharmacy jobs that Kaiser Permanente had slated to eliminate in its Northern California division. The union said Kaiser has agreed to withdraw lay-off notices to some of the affected personnel. San Francisco Business Times.
Federal Report Identifies $65 Million in Improper Medicaid Drug Spending
A new Government Accountability Office audit found $65 million in potentially improper spending on prescription drugs in Medicaid programs in California and four other states. Sen. Tom Carper is scheduled to hold a hearing on the report’s findings today. USA Today.
California Reps. Come Out Against Medical Device Tax
A bipartisan group of House members from California is urging Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus to drop a provision from the committee’s health care overhaul legislation that would impose a new tax on medical device makers. In a letter to Baucus, the group wrote that the tax could hurt California’s economy and compromise care. Modern Healthcare.
State Seismic Deadlines Out of Reach for Many California Hospitals
The credit crunch, declining revenues and the ongoing recession are making it difficult for many California hospitals to meet state-mandated deadlines for seismic retrofitting. Some hospitals are urging the state to extend the deadlines. San Fernando Valley Business Journal.
White House Reported To Be Preparing Reform Plan as a Backup Option
Insiders say the Obama administration is working on a health care reform proposal that could serve as a last-minute alternative if current legislative efforts stall. Meanwhile, the administration is fending off criticism of its agreements with health care industry groups. Roll Call, NPR’s “Morning Edition.”