Latest California Healthline Stories
Health Net Files Protest Over Loss of Military Contract
On Monday, Health Net filed a protest over the loss of a $2.8 billion annual Tricare contract to provide coverage for the military, claiming that eventual winner Aetna had an unfair advantage because Health Net’s bid was posted online by the Department of Defense. Sacramento Business Journal.
New Report Finds California Lacks Primary Care Doctors
A new report from the California HealthCare Foundation indicates that California has 59 primary care physicians per 100,000 active patients, less than the 60 to 80 PCPs per 100,000 active patients that studies recommend. Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal.
Opinion: Prevention Must Be Priority in Health Reform
Preventing disease “must be a cornerstone of health care reform” so that Congress does not “change the funding of health care without solving the underlying problems,” argue Rep. Doris Matsui and Harold Goldstein, executive director of the California Center for Public Health Advocacy. Sacramento Bee.
More Budget Cuts Pose Risk to Healthy Families Enrollees, Advocates Say
Advocates say California’s budget cuts could leave 800,000 children without health insurance if Healthy Families begins dropping enrollees and continues its enrollment freeze. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Merced County Supervisors Delay Vote on Health Cuts
On Tuesday, the Merced County Board of Supervisors voted to delay changing eligibility requirements for the county’s Medical Assistance Program, which covers low-income adults who have medical conditions but do not qualify for other assistance programs. The change effectively would have disqualified about 400 adults. Merced Sun-Star.
Calif. Lawmakers Set To Consider Budget Today; Health Advocates Wary
Today, California legislators are scheduled to begin negotiations on a budget agreement developed earlier this week. Meanwhile, advocates continue to express concern over proposed health program cuts targeting seniors and children. AP/San Diego Union-Tribune et al.
Odds of Meeting August Deadline on Health Care Reform Appear Slim
Legislators are locked in debate over a number of contentious proposals in health care reform legislation and appear unlikely to approve plans in the House or Senate before the August recess. Political analysts say ads attacking reform proposals could sway public opinion during the recess. CQ Today et al.
Analysis: Medicare Part D Has Increased Rx Drug Coverage
The Medicare prescription drug program generally has met the goal of providing access to affordable medications for beneficiaries, according to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The analysis found that 90% of Medicare beneficiaries now have prescription drug coverage, compared with only two-thirds before Part D took effect. AP/Boston Globe.
First 5 Riverside Commission Resolves Funding Appeal
On Wednesday, the First 5 Riverside commission resolved an appeal by ruling that the Riverside County Department of Mental Health and the Family Services Association would each get 25% of an $11.7 million grant funded by the state tobacco tax, after critics said that commission members had distributed funds to organizations they headed up. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Obama Uses Prime-Time Speech To Argue for Health Care Reform
President Obama argued that without health care reform, the U.S. economy would be weakened and American families would continue to be hit with major increases in health care costs. A fact check by the Associated Press indicated that some of the president’s statements were inconsistent with elements of legislation under consideration. AP/Houston Chronicle et al.