Latest California Healthline Stories
Health Plans, Providers Gear Up for Battle Over ‘Balance Billing’ Efforts
The California Medical Association is preparing to challenge new state rules that would bar balance billing, a practice most often involving emergency department physicians who bill patients for charges that their health plan declined to cover. Ventura County Star.
CDC Releases Detailed Study on Spread of HIV in U.S.
The majority of new HIV cases occur among men who have sex with men, and blacks are most at risk, according to a new detailed study released Thursday by CDC. The agency’s demographic analysis aims to increase knowledge of the age, race and other characteristics of people newly infected with HIV to better guide prevention efforts. New York Times.
Parental Notification, Kids’ Hospital Bond on Nov. Ballot
In November, California residents will vote on a dozen statewide measures. One ballot initiative before voters would authorize $980 million in state bonds for construction, expansion and renovation of children’s hospitals. A separate initiative would require parental notification and a 48-hour waiting period before minors can receive an abortion. San Francisco Chronicle.
Cancer Risk From Pollution Up in Riverside County
The cancer risk from diesel soot and other toxic air pollutants in Riverside County rose by 2% between 1998 and 2005, according to an analysis by the South Coast Air Quality Management District. The regional cancer risk decreased by 8% during that same time period. Air quality regulators cited higher volumes of truck traffic and warehouse development in Riverside County as reasons for the increase. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Former UnitedHealth CEO Agrees To Settle CalPERS Lawsuit
CalPERS is the lead plaintiff in a class-action lawsuit that accused former UnitedHealth CEO William McGuire of backdating stock options, a move that CalPERS maintains cost it more than $20 million on its investment of $322 million in the health insurer. UnitedHealth agreed to pay almost $900 million to settle the case with CalPERS earlier this year. Sacramento Bee et al.
Medi-Cal Payment Cuts Common Element of Three Budget Proposals
In their budget plans, Gov. Schwarzenegger and Republican and Democratic legislators all seek hundreds of millions of dollars in savings by cutting Medi-Cal provider payments. Sacramento Bee, NPR’s “All Things Considered.”
Universities Take Steps To Curb Pharmaceutical Industry Influence
Stanford is among the universities that the U.S. Senate Finance Committee has contacted as committee staff investigate potentially undisclosed financial ties between university researchers and drugmakers. A committee leader wants to withdraw NIH grants if claims are substantiated. Wall Street Journal.
Costs of Obama Health Care Plan Raise Concerns
Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama has proposed a National Health Insurance Exchange that would guarantee access to health coverage, but some analyses are questioning how it will affect costs for young, healthy people. Meanwhile, experts discussed differences between Obama’s health care proposals and those of Republican nominee Sen. John McCain. AP/San Francisco Chronicle, KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.”
New York Senators Petition Bush to Reject New Medicaid Rule
Democratic Sens. Chuck Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton are asking President Bush to drop a proposed Medicaid rule that would limit certain outpatient services covered under Medicaid. The Bush administration says new Medicaid rules are intended to crack down on improper spending. CQ HealthBeat et al.
Open Enrollment Set To Begin for State Employees
California state employees will be able to change health insurance coverage beginning on Monday. CalPERS is highlighting state employees’ options during the open enrollment period, which runs through Oct. 10. Capitol Weekly.