Latest California Healthline Stories
Patients Could Benefit From Recent Insurance Settlements
Some managed care plan members could begin to recover some of the money they might have overpaid for using out-of-network health care providers and hospitals after a string of recent settlements by large health insurers, including UnitedHealth Group, Aetna and Health Net. Wall Street Journal.
Plan for Medical School at UC-Merced Moves Forward at Slower Pace
UC President Mark Yudof came out in favor of a plan that would push the opening date of a medical school at UC-Merced beyond the original 2013 goal. UC-Merced’s chancellor also backed the proposal. Merced Sun-Star, Modesto Bee.
Lawsuit Seeks To Block Latest Round of Medi-Cal Payment Cuts
A coalition of health care providers and Medi-Cal beneficiaries is fighting California’s plan to reduce Medi-Cal reimbursement rates for many providers by 5% beginning on March 1. Like lawsuits challenging larger rate cuts last year, the current suit maintains that reducing Medi-Cal reimbursement rates would limit beneficiaries’ access to care. Modern Healthcare, AHA News.
L.A. County Assessing Health Workers’ Criminal Records
On Tuesday, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich announced that he requested late last year a case-by-case review of all health department workers with criminal records to determine whether some employees’ convictions should disqualify them from their jobs. Antonovich does not yet know the results of the large-scale assessment. Los Angeles Times.
State Audit Questions California Budget Process
A new report from the California Bureau of State Audits described the state budget process as “high-risk” because of its effects on the state operations. The audit found that the number of Californians eligible for Medi-Cal and other services significantly outpaced overall patient growth, a trend that has led to major increases in the expenditures from the state general fund. KQED’s “Capitol Notes.”
S.F. Health Department Identifies $21M in Cuts
On Tuesday, the San Francisco Department of Public Health presented to the Health Commission $21 million in potential cuts, including reductions to home nursing care and mental health services. The department still needs to identify another $80 million in potential cuts by the end of the month. The cuts are designed to address the city’s budget deficit. The department already made $11 million in midyear cuts. San Francisco Chronicle.
Expansion of Children’s Health Insurance Set To Clear House Today
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he expects President Obama to sign legislation to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program today after it wins final passage. The bill is projected to provide coverage to an additional four million kids. AP/San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Opinion Piece Criticizes Proposed Mental Health Cuts
In an opinion piece, Wayne Clark — Monterey County’s director of behavioral services and president of the California Mental Health Directors Association — argues that “Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s most recent budget proposal would reverse the dramatic gains we have made” in mental health care. He concludes, “Like the notion of returning people in need of care away from community services and onto the streets, the governor’s proposals must be soundly rejected.” San Jose Mercury News.
19 Governors Voice Support for Stimulus Bill in Letter
On Tuesday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and 18 other governors sent a letter to President Obama supporting the economic stimulus package. The letter states, “The support for a temporary increase in federal commitment for public education, health care (including cost control through initiatives such as health records IT), and for rebuilding our public infrastructure will create and preserve jobs today, and represents a sound investment in our long-term economic interest as well.” Office of the Governor release.
Revised Plans Call for Dropping Mental Health From Prison Overhaul
Federal prison health care receiver J. Clark Kelso said he plans to drop plans to include treatment beds for inmates with mental illnesses from his plan to overhaul the prison health care system. He said the move would cut the cost of his proposal by about half. Ventura County Star et al.