Latest California Healthline Stories
California Regulators Proceed With Prohibition on ‘Balance Billing’
The California Medical Association and other groups are challenging rules by the Department of Managed Health Care to ban so-called “balance billing,” but the department is proceeding with implementation of the rules. The new regulations are set to take effect today. Los Angeles Times, KXJZ’s “Capital Public Radio.”
Lockyer Chides Governor for Veto of Hospital Financing Bill
Treasurer Bill Lockyer criticized Gov. Schwarzenegger’s veto of legislation that would have required hospitals to meet the same community benefit requirements to issue tax-exempt bonds whether they sought financing through a state agency or a joint powers authority. Lockyer has pledged to support the bill again next year. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert” et al.
WellPoint, X Prize Announce Health Care Overhaul Effort
The health insurer WellPoint has teamed up with the X Prize Foundation to offer a $10 million prize for ideas to rein in health care costs and improve quality. AP/Google.com.
L.A. County Aims To Boost Mental Health Care for Foster Children
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has signed off on a plan that aims to ensure foster children’s access to mental health services without putting them in group homes. The change comes in response to a class-action lawsuit. Los Angeles Times.
Cardiac Procedures Done Without Verifying Necessity in Many Cases
A study by UC-San Francisco researchers in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that noninvasive stress tests are not performed before many elective angioplasties. Researchers said explicit guidelines are needed to clarify when physicians should order stress tests. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel et al.
California Voters Consider Hospital Bond Measure
Proposition 3 would authorize the state to sell $980 million in bonds to fund expansion and improvement projects at eight not-for-profit and five UC children’s hospitals. However, critics of the measure argue that the state cannot afford to take on any more debt. A Contra Costa Times editorial urges voters to approve the hospital bond measure. CPR’s “Morning Edition,” Contra Costa Times.
Catholic Healthcare West Reaches Labor Agreement
Catholic Healthcare West, the state’s largest not-for-profit health care company, has reached a labor agreement with United Healthcare Workers that would provide 14,000 workers with an average wage increase of at least 24% over four years and better benefits. The deal could pressure other companies, such as Sutter Health, to negotiate similar contracts. Sacramento Bee.
California Universities Dropping Option for Family Health Insurance
Increasing costs are leading Stanford and some UC campuses to drop the family health insurance option for students. In response, some students have turned to public health insurance programs, prompting some health care advocates to criticize the universities. San Jose Mercury News.
Catholic Healthcare West Reports Drop in Income
Operating income for the hospital chain dropped by 47% in the fiscal year that ended June 30, despite increases in revenue and admissions. A series of one-time charges reduced income from $485 million to $170 million. Catholic Healthcare West operates 41 hospitals in California, Arizona and Nevada. Sacramento Business Journal.
Lawsuit Targets New California Rules Barring Balance Billing
New rules by the Department of Managed Health Care seek to prohibit physicians from balance billing, but the California Medical Association and other groups are suing to block the regulations from taking effect. CMA’s general counsel maintains that the rules lie outside of DMHC’s authority. Los Angeles Daily Journal.