Latest California Healthline Stories
Rule Targets Practice That Inflated Medicare Beneficiaries’ Rx Prices
CMS has finalized a regulation that will change how Medicare beneficiaries’ drug costs are calculated, a shift that is intended to keep some beneficiaries from reaching the so-called “doughnut hole” coverage gap earlier. The rule takes effect in 2010. Wall Street Journal.
CNN’s Sanjay Gupta Tapped To Be U.S. Surgeon General
President-elect Barack Obama reportedly has asked CNN health and medicine correspondent Sanjay Gupta to be the next U.S. surgeon general. According to CNN, Gupta, a practicing neurosurgeon, has been promised a much higher-profile role and larger portfolio than previous surgeons general. Los Angeles Times.
VA Secretary Nominee Vows To Close Gaps in Vets’ Care
Retired Gen. Eric Shinseki said that if confirmed as Veterans Affairs Secretary, he will reinstate benefits to hundreds of thousands of middle-income veterans who were denied benefits during the Bush administration. The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee is scheduled to hold Shinseki’s confirmation hearing on Jan. 14. Associated Press.
Garamendi Pitches Fast-Track Medical School Program for UC-Merced
Lt. Gov. John Garamendi said that shifting directions on a proposal to open a new medical school at UC-Merced could expedite the project, especially given the state’s budget deficit. Garamendi said a fast-track program could be up and running as soon as 2010. Fresno Bee et al.
Blue Shield of California Unit Reaches Deal on Rescissions
Blue Shield of California Life & Health inked a deal with Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner to resolve charges that the insurer improperly rescinded almost 700 members’ coverage. Blue Shield did not admit wrongdoing under the settlement but agreed to reinstate coverage, reimburse dropped members’ medical expenses and make changes to its application process. Los Angeles Times et al.
Judge’s Ruling Raises Questions Over Kaiser’s Arbitration Clause
A judge ruled that forms a Los Angeles County employee completed on the county’s Web site when he enrolled in a Kaiser Permanente plan did not meet state standards for a binding arbitration agreement. Kaiser opted not to appeal the ruling. Los Angeles Daily Journal.
Governor Urges Increase in Medicaid Funding to States
In a letter sent to President-elect Barack Obama on Monday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger offers recommendations for the federal economic stimulus proposal. He writes that implementing a temporary increase of at least $100 billion in the Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage would help California and other states meet increased Medicaid costs and enrollment. Office of the Governor release.
Schwarzenegger Vetoes Democrats’ Budget Package, Lawsuit Filed
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a budget proposal that aimed to address about half of the state’s projected budget deficit by raising revenue and cutting funding for health care and other programs. A lawsuit challenging the plan was filed despite the veto. Los Angeles Times et al.
AARP’s Legislative Agenda Includes Health Care Reform
On Tuesday AARP released its legislative priorities for the 111th Congress, an agenda that focuses on health care reform and the economic stimulus package. AARP CEO Bill Novelli said that addressing the country’s health care spending is key to solving the long-term fiscal problems facing Medicare. The Hill.
UCSF To Help Address Health Worker Shortage in Tanzania
On Tuesday, UC-San Francisco announced that it has won a two-year, $7.5 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help address the health care worker shortage in Tanzania. The grant will support a partnership between UCSF Global Health Sciences and Tanzania’s Muhimbili University of Health Allied Sciences. San Francisco Business Times.