Latest California Healthline Stories
CalPERS Reaches $895 Million Settlement With UnitedHealth
CalPERS was a lead plaintiff in the class-action lawsuit that centered on UnitedHealth’s backdating of stock options to former CEO William McGuire. CalPERS argued that the practice caused its UnitedHealth stock holdings to lose millions of dollars in value. In addition to the payout, the settlement calls for changes to the insurer’s corporate governance policies. Wall Street Journal et al.
Hospital Error Information Could Boost Quality of Care
Releasing information about serious errors at California hospitals “provides consumers with the first meaningful data about individual medical centers” and could encourage hospitals to improve, according to an editorial. It concludes, “The best guardian of consumer safety is an informed consumer.” Los Angeles Times.
Editorial Warns That Budget Cuts Will Slash Health Care
Proposed budget cuts to Medi-Cal and suggested changes to the program’s eligibility rules would have serious implications for California’s health care system and could increase the number of uninsured substantially, an editorial maintains. The editorial urges lawmakers to consider a tax to help fund Medi-Cal. Sacramento Bee.
Proposed Ban on Fast Food in South L.A. on the Table
Los Angeles City Council member Jan Perry discussed her proposal to ban new fast food stores in South Los Angeles communities in hopes of improving residents’ nutrition. KPCC’s “Air Talk.”
Department of Veterans Affairs Plans New Facility in Alameda County
The facility manager for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Palo Alto Health System said it hopes to open a new primary care and mental health outpatient facility between Hayward and Fremont in about a year. There are about 90,000 veterans living in Alameda County. Oakland Tribune.
New Medicare Rule Boosts Oversight of Hospices
Beginning in December, hospices that treat Medicare beneficiaries will have to demonstrate that they are working to improve in areas where they have been found lacking. The new rule also ensures that beneficiaries can continue their treatment plans. Washington Post.
Lawsuit Raises Questions on Administration of CalPERS PPO Plans
The lawsuit centers on a public employee getting coverage through CalPERS who was denied a procedure to treat his lung cancer and then sued Anthem Blue Cross for the denial. CalPERS contracts with Anthem Blue Cross to administer its self-funded PPO plan. Los Angeles Daily Journal.
People Consider Diabetes a Less Severe Illness
Participants in recent focus groups generally considered diabetes to be significantly less severe than cancer and heart disease, raising concerns among some health care professionals that people underestimate the gravity of diabetes. New York Times‘ “Well.”
Bush Approves Bill That Funds Wars, Delays Six Medicaid Rules
Without further action by Congress, the Medicaid rules changes could take effect as early as April 2009. CMS estimates that the rules would have saved about $17 billion over five years. Advocates maintained that University of California hospitals would have lost up to $116 million under the rules. CongressDaily, Bay Area News/Contra Costa Times.
Stanislaus County Health Chief Seeks Partnerships
John Walker, public health officer for Stanislaus County, is working to develop strategic partnerships with community groups to address asthma, heart disease and nutrition. Walker discussed the efforts in a recent interview. Modesto Bee.