Latest California Healthline Stories
FDA Commissioner Set To Step Down on Inauguration Day
FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach informed his staff yesterday that he would resign effective Jan. 20, 2009. Von Eschenbach said he would work closely with President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team to avoid any snags in the changeover. Wall Street Journal.
Medicare Plans Criticized for Drug Pricing System
Some Medicare drug plans are being criticized for using reference-based pricing in which beneficiaries who choose a brand-name drug when there is a generic version available are charged a much higher price. The industry argues that the tactic helps curb rising health care costs, but critics complain that the practice can result in hidden charges. Wall Street Journal.
Republican Lawmakers Call for Tapping Health Care Reserve Funds
California Republican legislators outlined a proposal to boost revenue in large part by reallocating billions of dollars in funds from voter-approved initiatives for mental health services and early childhood health and education. Medi-Cal also would be cut under the plan. Los Angeles Times et al.
New Funds Help Healthy Families Avoid Enrollment Freeze for Now
The California agency that oversees proceeds of a state tobacco tax hike voted to provide almost $17 million to help Healthy Families avoid freezing enrollment. The cap would have resulted in more than 160,000 children being put on a waiting list for coverage. The funds from First 5 are a temporary reprieve for Healthy Families as state budget negotiations continue. Los Angeles Times et al.
Beneficiaries Withdraw From Medicare Advantage Plans
A Government Accountability Office report released Monday found that Medicare beneficiaries are withdrawing enrollment in Medicare Advantage private fee-for-service plans at an average of 21%, compared with 9% in other Medicare Advantage plans. The report found that beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage private fee-for-service plans face higher costs because of administrative burdens. CongressDaily.
State Budget Deficits Put Pressure on Medicaid Spending Nationwide
New research from the National Association of State Budget Officers and the National Governors Association found that states are cutting overall spending, a move that could have major implications for state Medicaid programs as enrollment is expected to climb. CQ HealthBeat et al.
Resistance to New Prison Hospitals Builds Statewide
Six California communities are reacting in different ways to proposals by federal Prison Healthcare Receiver J. Clark Kelso to build 1,500-bed hospitals for prison inmates. For example, opposition in Camarillo has led to the creation of two citizen committees to fight the plan, while the Stockton sheriff is concerned about competition for workers at his new jail. Ventura County Star.
Shewry Set To Take the Helm of New California Telehealth Center
Beginning on Jan. 1, Sandra Shewry will lead the California Center for Connected Health. The center aims to take the lead in coordinating telehealth strategy and efforts in California at a time when millions of dollars are available for such projects. Sacramento Business Journal et al.
Majority of Uninsured Kids Eligible for Healthy Families, Medi-Cal
Research from UCLA found that more than half of the kids who went without health insurance at some point in 2007 were eligible for Medi-Cal or Healthy Families but were not enrolled in the programs. Fewer than 7% of uninsured adults were eligible for Medi-Cal. Los Angeles Daily News.
Health Plans in California Brace for Drop in Enrollment
Given the weak economy, health plans in the state — including Kaiser Permanente, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Health Net of California and UnitedHealth/PacifiCare of California — are expecting a drop in health plan enrollees. San Francisco Business Times.