Latest California Healthline Stories
Camarillo City Council Mulls Opposition to Prison Hospital
On Wednesday, the Camarillo City Council will consider authorizing an opposition statement to a proposal by federal receiver J. Clark Kelso to build a hospital facility for adult prison inmates with chronic physical and mental health problems. The council also might hire a consultant to examine environmental issues related to the facility. Ventura County Star.
House Panel Mulls Medicaid Help in Second Stimulus Package
A House committee will consider providing more federal funds for state Medicaid programs as part of an economic stimulus package currently in the works. Democratic leaders support a temporary increase to the federal matching funds, but Republican opponents of the proposal say it would encourage states to continue expanding Medicaid. CongressDaily, American Public Media’s “Marketplace.”
Proposal Targets Practice That Raises Costs Under Medicare Drug Plans
A proposal by CMS seeks to limit pharmacy benefit managers’ use of “locked-in pricing,” a practice that can result in Medicare drug plan beneficiaries falling into the so-called “doughnut hole” coverage gap more quickly. PBMs defend the practice. Wall Street Journal.
WellCare Health Plans To Restate Financial Results
In response to a Medicaid fraud investigation launched last fall, WellCare Health Plans has decided to restate more than three years of financial results. The company said it failed to return about $46.5 million in premiums to state programs providing health care to low-income residents in Florida and Illinois and underreported liabilities by about $46 million because of improper accounting of medical expenses. Wall Street Journal.
Safeway Raises $13.2M for Prostate Cancer Research
Safeway announced on Monday that it raised $13.2 million for prostate cancer research through its annual June customer-and-employee fundraising program. In 2007, Safeway donated about 20% of its net income, or $172 million, to disability assistance programs, education and other causes. East Bay Business Times.
California Workers’ Comp Insurers Spent Less in 2007
In 2007, California’s workers’ compensation insurers spent just under $11.2 billion — about $1.25 billion less than the previous year — on claims and expenses. The insurers’ medical payments stayed about the same, but indemnity payments, overhead, loss adjustment and defense costs declined. Sacramento Business Journal.
Cost of Building ‘Green’ Hospitals Decreasing
Observers say that the cost of building more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly hospitals is lessening. Julia Silas, health care project director of the Healthy Building Network, predicted that more hospitals in the state will go green as seismic retrofitting laws require them to remodel and rebuild their facilities. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Battle Over Medi-Cal Payments to Pharmacists Set To Continue
A federal appeals court in San Francisco is slated to hear arguments again this week in a case that seeks to block 10% reductions to Medi-Cal payments to pharmacists from taking effect. First, the court temporarily barred the cuts but later revoked the order. Meanwhile, a proposal in the legislature would reduce the payment cuts for all health care providers. Oakland Tribune, Fresno Bee.
California Fines Bakersfield Nursing Facility $100,000
The state Department of Public Health announced Thursday that it has fined Bakersfield Health Center $100,000 — the largest fine possible — for not addressing adverse medication interactions that resulted in the death of a patient. Bakersfield Californian.
Prison Health Receiver Expects To Seek Order for Funds by August
After the Legislature rejected a proposal to issue bonds to pay for new prison medical facilities, California’s prison health care receiver says he will seek a court order to compel the state to begin paying billions of dollars in construction costs. Wall Street Journal, Ventura County Star.