Latest California Healthline Stories
Stark Says Private Medicare Advantage Plans Too Costly
In a New York Times letter-to-the-editor, House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chair Pete Stark writes that he agrees with a recent editorial that argues that private Medicare Advantage plans are too expensive and do not always provide more care than traditional Medicare plans. He writes that Medicare Advantage plans “are a drain on the Medicare Trust Fund.” New York Times.
Riverside County Nurses File Lawsuit Over Overtime Compensation
In their complaint, three nurses at Riverside Regional Medical Center argued that — in violation of federal law — they were not compensated for overtime that they worked. Earlier this year, the county reclassified some nursing positions as ineligible for overtime. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Advocates Criticize Medicare Rule on Brand-Name Drugs
When Medicare beneficiaries opt for a brand-name treatment over a generic version, a Medicare rule permits health plans to charge beneficiaries a standard copayment, as well as the difference between the price of the generic and the brand-name drug. Health care advocates maintain that the rule has not been explained clearly to beneficiaries. USA Today.
Fresno County Latest Battleground for Health Safety Net Programs
Health care advocates are challenging income eligibility guidelines for Fresno County’s Medically Indigent Services Program, arguing that the levels are too low and do not take into account ability to pay. A similar case in San Diego County resulted in income limits being raised. Los Angeles Daily Journal.
UnitedHealth Group Marketing Product To Ensure Health Coverage
People who currently have health insurance coverage can buy a product from UnitedHealth Group that guarantees that they will be able to buy coverage from the insurer if they lose coverage in the future. Meanwhile, the insurer announced that it expects enrollment to decline in 2009. New York Times et al.
Insurer Transfers Long-Term Care Policies to State Trust
Conseco has transferred its long-term care policies to a new trust supervised by the state of Pennsylvania as part of an effort by the insurer to focus on more lucrative lines of business. Analysts warn that policyholders could see benefit cuts or premium hikes. Wall Street Journal.
Insurers, Business Lobbyists Join Health Care Reform Negotiations
Lobbyists representing health insurers and other businesses regularly are participating in talks about efforts to overhaul the U.S. health care system. The groups were fierce opponents of health care reform efforts in the 1990s. Supporters of health care reform say that significant challenges nonetheless will lie ahead for any effort to rework the health care system next year. Boston Globe.
Steinberg Taps Alquist as Chair of Senate Health Panel
On Tuesday, Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg announced that Sen. Elaine Alquist would chair the Senate Health Committee. Steinberg released a complete list of committee chair assignments. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
University of California Receives Grant for School of Global Health
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded a grant worth almost $4 million to the University of California to cover the costs of planning a new global health school. The proposal calls for creating UC’s first multicampus, systemwide school. San Francisco Business Times.
Sacramento County Awards Contract for Healthy Families
Molina Healthcare will serve as the community provider for Healthy Families in Sacramento County. This year, more than 9,000 children in Sacramento County were enrolled in the community provider program for Healthy Families, California’s version of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. Sacramento Bee.