Latest California Healthline Stories
Regulators Warn Consumers About Discount Health Plans
The Department of Managed Health Care is urging Californians to be on guard against discount health plans that misrepresent themselves as health insurance plans. DMHC is drafting regulations for discount plans, which entitle members to lower prices for some service but do not constitute traditional health care coverage. Sacramento Bee.
Medicare Costs in Los Angeles Far Above National Average
Data indicate that Medicare payments to hospitals in Los Angeles for the last two years of a beneficiary’s life are nearly twice as high as the national average. Researchers suggest costs in the Los Angeles-area are higher largely because there are more medical resources readily available. Los Angeles Times.
Obama Goes on the Air To Stump for Health Care Reform Efforts
Five Sunday morning news programs aired interviews with President Obama yesterday, part of an effort by the administration to rally public support for health care reform efforts. The president reiterated his support for a government-run health plan as part of reform legislation and restated his opposition to covering undocumented immigrants. Politico et al.
U.S. Lawmakers Look To California Malpractice Law as Option for Nation
California’s 1975 Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act imposes a $250,000 cap on the amount plaintiffs can receive in non-economic damages from a malpractice lawsuit. Some say California’s rules could serve as a model for national health reform efforts. San Francisco Chronicle.
Pasadena, S.J. County Grapple With Health Cuts
The Pasadena City Council is considering whether to fund the city’s HIV counseling program after the initiative lost funding as a result of state budget cuts. Meanwhile, the Black Infant Health program in San Joaquin County is trying to recruit volunteers to continue the program’s work after state budget cuts gutted the local program. Pasadena Star-News, Stockton Record.
DMHC Opens Final Public Comment Period on Rule To Ease HMO Wait Times
This week, the Department of Managed Health Care is expected to open final public comment on proposed regulations requiring HMOs to schedule physician appointments within a certain time frame. The public will have 15 days to submit comments to DMHC. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Bill To Impose Hospital Fees Remains Caught in Political Entanglements
This fall, California officials might reconsider a bill that would levy fees on hospitals in order to obtain higher federal health care payments. Assembly member Dave Jones, who authored the bill, significantly modified the measure to secure its passage. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Assembly Member Urges Law Against Insurance Rescissions
Assembly member Mary Hayashi called on Californians to urge Gov. Schwarzenegger to sign AB 108, which would impose new restrictions on HMOs’ ability to rescind coverage. The restrictions would be the same as those currently in effect for PPOs. Contra Costa Times.
Different Factors Cited for Rise in Health Care Costs
Health economists, hospitals, health plans, physicians and other health care stakeholders attribute the continued rise in health care costs to a variety of factors, ranging from Americans’ declining health to consumers’ demand for high-cost tests and prescription drugs. Sacramento Bee.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of September 18, 2009
Downey Regional Medical Center filed for bankruptcy protection this week just as Kaiser Permanente opened a replacement hospital in Downey. Meanwhile, the Kingsburg District Hospital board rejected plans to sell the hospital and instead partnered with Tulare Regional Medical Center.