Latest California Healthline Stories
Medicare Chief Rolls Out Expanded Efforts To Crack Down on Fraud
Under an anti-fraud plan by CMS Acting Administrator Kerry Weems, Medicare claims filed in California and other states for durable medical equipment will be closely scrutinized. A separate effort will focus on home health agencies in Florida. CongressDaily et al.
Poll Questions Benefits of McCain, Obama Health Plans
A new poll by Harris Interactive found that four in 10 respondents do not believe that there is a clear winner between the health care plans put forward by Sens. John McCain or Barack Obama. However, the poll does indicate that one-third of respondents prefer Obama’s plan, while 27% prefer McCain’s. Dow Jones.
San Francisco Opens Door to More Private Ambulance Services
San Francisco is inviting more private ambulance firms into the city to help the city’s fire department with 911 emergency calls. Some emergency response experts and ambulance groups warn that the approach could lead to logistical and quality problems. San Francisco Chronicle.
Businesses Concerned About McCain’s Health Care Plan
Leading trade group officials say U.S. businesses are concerned about Sen. John McCain’s health care reform proposal to eliminate the exclusion of health benefits from income taxes. The officials predict that McCain’s plan would end employer-sponsored health insurance and do little to reduce the number of uninsured residents. New York Times.
Editorial, Opinion Piece Make Case for, Against Proposition 3
A San Francisco Chronicle editorial supports Proposition 3, which would authorize $980 million in general-obligation bonds to expand children’s hospitals. Meanwhile, in an opinion piece, Adrian Moore — vice president of research at the Reason Foundation — argues that “taxpayers should say no” to Proposition 3 because of the economic downturn. San Francisco Chronicle.
Justice Department Joins Lawsuit Against McKesson
The U.S. Justice Department announced that it has joined a whistle-blower lawsuit against several companies, including San Francisco-based drug wholesaler McKesson. The lawsuit alleges that McKesson submitted false claims to Medicare, paid illegal kickbacks and created fake medical-equipment suppliers. Wall Street Journal.
Expected Order for Prison Health Funds Complicates State Budget
U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson appears poised to order California to disburse the first $250 million installment for a plan to construct new prison medical facilities. Attorney General Jerry Brown warns that building new prison health facilities could deprive other state programs of funds. Overall, the plan is projected to cost $8 billion. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Hearing on Funding for Prison Medical Care Starts Today
Prison medical receiver J. Clark Kelso today will ask a federal district court judge to compel the state to give him $8 billion to help improve medical care in prisons. He wants the state fined $2 million a day for failure to comply with his funding request. AP/Sacramento Bee.
Editorial Criticizes Governor’s Veto of Rescissions Bill
An editorial criticizes Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for vetoing a bill (AB 1945) that would have prohibited health insurers from unfairly canceling members’ health insurance policies. The editorial states, “We don’t believe that [insurers] will put the care of patients above their bottom lines.” Los Angeles Times.
Health Care Personnel Update for September 2008
A biochemistry and molecular biology professor at UC-Berkeley has been tapped to head the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and the UC Board of Regents approved a new COO for UC-Davis Medical Center.