Latest California Healthline Stories
Schwarzenegger Administration Seeks To End Prison Receivership
Attorney General Jerry Brown filed a motion asking a federal judge to disband the receivership that has had oversight of California’s prison health care system since 2006. Receiver J. Clark Kelso said prison health care still falls short of constitutional standards. Sacramento Business Journal et al.
Local Union Leaders To Leave SEIU, Start New Union
On Wednesday, United Healthcare Workers West officials said they are resigning from the Service Employees International Union and starting a new union, called the National Union of Healthcare Workers. The move comes a day after SEIU assumed legal and financial control of the local union. San Francisco Business Times.
States Cut Spending on Kids’ Health Insurance, Medicaid
At least 25 states have enacted or proposed cuts to Medicaid programs, and 12 states also have targeted the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, according to a new report from Families USA. The advocacy group estimates that more than 250,000 people will lose coverage because of cuts already made and that proposed cuts could affect millions more. States hope that the federal economic stimulus package will help restore some of the funding. Wall Street Journal.
California ED Physicians Sue State Over Inadequate Payments
Five California emergency department physician groups have filed a class-action lawsuit against the state, arguing that Medi-Cal reimbursement rates do not cover the cost of treatment. Moreover, the suit maintains that a jump in the number of patients seeking care in hospital EDs is further weakening the ED system in California. Los Angeles Times et al.
Provision on Immigrant Kids in SCHIP Legislation Defeated
On Tuesday, the Senate rejected a Republican amendment to legislation to reauthorize and expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program that would have limited states’ abilities to expand coverage to documented immigrants. AP/Miami Herald.
UnitedHealth/PacifiCare Award $5.7M in Grants
UnitedHealth/PacifiCare has awarded $5.7 million in grants to promote health IT and medical education in California. The money marks the third of four rounds of grants state regulators required when the state Department of Managed Health Care approved the merger of UnitedHealth Group and PacifiCare Health Systems in 2005. San Francisco Business Times et al.
Riverside Officials Push for Funding for Medical School
Riverside officials are lobbying the Legislature to provide startup funding for the planned UC-Riverside Medical School after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s latest budget proposal did not include $10 million in state funding for the school. UC-Riverside Chancellor Timothy White said he still is “optimistic” that the final budget will include funding for the school. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Health Care Funding at Issue for Counties Throughout California
Counties throughout California are weighing options for financing health care services as they work to address budget deficits and state funding cuts. For example, El Dorado and Fresno counties are reworking mental health services, and advocates are pushing for a tax hike in San Francisco. Sacramento Bee et al.
Suit Argues California Insurance Rules Are Biased Against Women
San Francisco’s city attorney has taken aim at state rules that permit health insurers to consider a person’s sex when determining health insurance premiums. The practice, called gender rating, is prohibited in 10 other states. Los Angeles Times.
Scripps Health Sued Over Billing Practices
A class-action lawsuit filed Monday accuses Scripps Health of illegally engaging in the practice of “balance billing.” The suit alleges that Scripps Health over the past four years billed some emergency medical patients for services after their HMOs refused to pay their bills. San Diego Union-Tribune.