Latest California Healthline Stories
Many Assembly Members Skip Vote on Bill Aimed at PPO Reimbursements
The bill by Assembly member Fiona Ma aimed to ease the process for physicians to receive reimbursements from PPOs. Thirty-four of 80 Assembly lawmakers did not vote on the measure, which was widely opposed by the health insurance industry. San Francisco Chronicle.
Health Care Reform News Around the Nation for the Week of June 9
The governor of Colorado signed 11 health care bills into law, including measures to expand health insurance coverage. Meanwhile, new research out of Massachusetts said the state is paying more than last year to provide health insurance to employees of large companies that don’t offer health care benefits.
Lawmakers, Researchers Push Evidence-Based Medicine
Scientists, medical policy specialists and leading politicians are beginning to push the idea of using cost-effectiveness research to influence medical treatment decisions and ultimately cut health care spending. However, the idea clashes with the belief that the government should not be involved in medical decisions. Los Angeles Times.
Few Complaints Against Health Facilities Result in State Action
About 55% of the nearly 37,000 complaints about medical facilities received by the California Department of Public Health between March 1, 2004, and Dec. 31, 2007, were dismissed without action, either because the claims were found to be baseless or they could not be substantiated. California’s inspection system for health care facilities has drawn criticism from CMS. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of June 6, 2008
Children’s Hospital Central California has signed a new contract with Anthem Blue Cross. Meanwhile, Sharp Memorial Hospital has delayed the opening of a patient tower until November, and Simi Valley Hospital has delayed the opening of a tower until more inspections are completed.
Health Care News From the Campaign Trail for the Week of June 6
After claiming the necessary delegates to win the Democratic presidential nomination, Sen. Barack Obama criticized Republican Sen. John McCain’s health care proposal, while former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle voiced interest in being HHS secretary in an Obama administration.
Dave Jones To Be Assembly Health Committee Chair
Assembly member Dave Jones (D-Sacramento) will replace Assembly member Mervyn Dymally (D-Los Angeles) as chair of the Assembly Health Committee in the next legislative session, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) said Thursday. Dymally will be required to step down at the end of the year because of term limits. Sacramento Business Journal.
Assembly Democrats Seek To Avoid Medi-Cal Cuts in Budget
A spending proposal by Assembly Democrats aims to restore most cuts to Medi-Cal that the Legislature already approved and to pass over Gov. Schwarzenegger’s proposal to eliminate dental benefits for adult beneficiaries. Senate Democrats’ spending plan would cut Medi-Cal payments by 5% instead of 10%. San Jose Mercury News et al.