Latest California Healthline Stories
Insurers Push Back After CMS Cracks Down on Reform Communications
Last week, CMS directed Humana to stop a mailing alleging that proposed cuts to Medicare Advantage plans would hurt beneficiaries. The agency said the mailing was “false and misleading,” but insurers and Republican lawmakers say the administration is trying to silence its critics. CQ HealthBeat et al.
Kaiser Permanente Chief Optimistic on Health Reform
Kaiser Permanente CEO George Halvorson said he believes health care reform will happen this year because Americans need changes to the health care system and President Obama needs the political victory. Halvorson said immediately after expanding insurance coverage, Congress should tackle legislation addressing the quality of care. New York Times‘ “Prescriptions.”
Homeless Teens Get Access to Online Health Care Records
UnitedHealth Group is providing $400,000 to fund Health Shack, an Internet-based system that lets homeless and marginalized teens in the Sacramento area store their health care records online. About 100 teens currently are participating in the program. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Senate Finance Panel Kicks Off Markup of Health Care Reform Bill
Yesterday, the Senate Finance Committee began its markup of the committee’s health care reform legislation. Democratic and Republican senators appear largely divided on the bill. Also, Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus detailed additional changes to the bill. Washington Post et al.
Biden Stumps for Tighter Oversight of Health Insurance
On Tuesday, Vice President Biden told a meeting of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners that greater oversight of health insurance would boost consumer protections and help control health care costs. Biden’s speech is part of the administration’s stepped-up efforts on health care reform in recent weeks. Washington Post.
Small-Business Group Leader Spells Out Stance on Reform
In an interview, the National Federation of Independent Business’ director of federal public policy elaborated on the group’s support for greater federal regulation of the health insurance market and explained why NFIB opposes a government-run option in reform legislation. NPR’s “All Things Considered.”
Senate Finance Chief Tweaks Bill Ahead of First Mark-Up Session
Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus made changes to the committee’s health care reform proposal that would provide more assistance for moderate-income families to buy health insurance and scale back a penalty for people who don’t buy insurance coverage by 2013. New York Times et al.
Census Data Find Wide Gaps in Insurance Coverage in California
Yesterday, the U.S. Census Bureau released a new report finding that some regions of California have some of the highest uninsured rates in the nation, while other regions have some of the lowest. Overall, about 17.8% of California residents lack insurance coverage, compared with a national average of 15%. Experts say the data align with earlier studies. San Jose Mercury News et al.
Medical Board Says Furloughs Have Slowed Doctor Licensing
State and medical officials say that Gov. Schwarzenegger’s mandatory furlough of state employees has slowed activities at the California Medical Board and other state licensing and enforcement programs. The medical board’s five-member committee will meet Oct. 1 to discuss the furloughs’ effect on operations. Capitol Weekly.
Healthy Families Funds Restored, Cuts Remain for Other Health Efforts
California lawmakers moved to rescue Healthy Families from recent budget cuts by passing a bill designed to restore funding for the program. Other state health services are still grappling with significant cuts from this summer’s budget revision package. Sacramento Business Journal.