Latest California Healthline Stories
Settlement Aims To Ensure Low-Cost Rx Drugs for Dual Eligibles
The lawsuit was filed in federal court in San Francisco and aimed to resolve delays Medicaid beneficiaries encountered when they became eligible for Medicare and were enrolled in that program’s drug benefit. About 6.2 million Medicare beneficiaries said they were overcharged for medications. New York Times et al.
CalPERS Board Gives Final Approval to HMO Premium Hikes for 2009
On average, HMO premiums will increase by about 6.6%, giving CalPERS the lowest rise in health insurance costs in a decade. Several board members criticized Kaiser Permanente’s hike of about 8%. Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento Bee.
6% of Medicare Providers Owe $2B in Unpaid Taxes
More than 27,000 health care providers — or 6% of health care providers participating in Medicare — continue to receive Medicare payments despite owing more than $2 billion in unpaid taxes, according to a Government Accountability Office investigation based on 2006 records. Acting CMS Administrator Kerry Weems said the agency is taking steps to ensure that providers have paid their taxes before they receive payments. USA Today.
San Joaquin County Pilot To Track Migrants’ Health
A new pilot program launched Thursday in San Joaquin County is designed to monitor the health of migrant workers and provide them with resources to no- or low-cost medical insurance. Under the program, health care providers can access migrant workers’ medical history through an online centralized database. Stockton Record, Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Advocates, Los Angeles County Officials Protest State Budget Cuts
A not-for-profit group said reducing Medi-Cal cuts will cost the Los Angeles County health care system almost $50 million. A hospital industry group said public and private hospitals in L.A. County together will lose almost $190 million. Los Angeles Daily News, AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
States’ Spending Growth Slows Amid High Health Costs
States’ revenues and spending growth continue to decline in part because of the mounting costs of state programs such as Medicaid, among other expenses, according to a midyear survey of state finances released Thursday by the National Governors Association and the National Association of State Budget Officers. AP/Houston Chronicle.