Latest California Healthline Stories
Riverside County Seeks More Reimbursement for Indigent Care Programs
Yesterday, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors said state lawmakers should raise reimbursement rates for health programs that treat the region’s low-income and uninsured residents. Advocates say the low rates are hindering physician recruitment. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Beach Cities Health District Offers Itself as National Model
Officials for Beach Cities Health District in Southern California have met with California congressional members and other health care stakeholders to tout the health district as a potential model for boosting health in the U.S. After the district’s hospital closed in 1998, the district shifted its mission to focus on disease prevention. Torrance Daily Breeze.
UCSF, Brown & Toland Move Toward New Relationship
Beginning Jan. 1, primary care doctors affiliated only with Brown & Toland Medical Group no longer will be able to refer members of some HMO plans directly to specialists affiliated with UCSF Medical Group. With its new partner, Hill Physicians, UCSF has launched a public awareness campaign about the change. San Francisco Chronicle‘s “Chron Rx,” San Francisco Business Times.
Major Breast Cancer Study Kicked Off at UC Centers
On Tuesday, UC officials announced that its five cancer centers would team up on a study that will follow 150,000 women statewide in hopes of identifying causes of breast cancer. UC and the Safeway Foundation are providing initial funding for the project. Sacramento Bee.
2 Calif. Groups Win Grant for Outreach for Kids’ Coverage
On Tuesday, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced $40 million in grants to help enroll eligible children in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Providence Little Company of Mary Foundation and Yolo County Children’s Alliance won six-figure grants. HHS release.
California Offers Lessons for National Health Reform Debate
Lawmakers involved in the ongoing debate over national health care reform can learn from California’s failed efforts to insure all residents and offer a health insurance exchange system. Advocates say reform backers should unite behind a single plan and accept concessions in order to avoid repeating California’s mistakes. San Jose Mercury News, Sacramento Bee.
Senate Finance Panel Set To Debate Provisions for Public Option Today
Sens. Jay Rockefeller and Charles Schumer will put forward amendments to the Senate Finance Committee’s health care reform legislation that would create a government-run health plan as an option for some Americans. AP/Atlanta Journal-Constitution et al.
Provision for Medicare Commission Survives in Health Care Reform Bill
The Senate Finance Committee voted to a preserve a provision in its health care overhaul legislation that would create a new commission to help control Medicare spending growth. Meanwhile, a Democratic aide said the committee could wrap work on the bill this week. CQ HealthBeat, Roll Call.
Calif. Rep. Says House Bill Would Cut Medicare Benefits
Rep. Elton Gallegly asserts that provisions of the House health care reform bill that would cut payments to Medicare Advantage plans would result in six million beneficiaries losing access to some services. Gallegly concludes that any legislation that does not expand Medicare Advantage “is the wrong prescription for reform.” Ventura County Star.
FDA Commissioner Discusses Reform, Safety Initiatives
FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg sat down for an interview to discuss consumer safety efforts and other priorities for FDA under her leadership. Hamburg also addressed recent criticism of the agency and concerns about conflicts of interest. WAMU’s “The Diane Rehm Show.”