Latest California Healthline Stories
L.A. City Attorney Files $1B Suit Against Anthem Blue Cross
The civil lawsuit alleges that more than 500,000 people bought individual and family health care policies from Anthem Blue Cross without knowing about an alleged company plan to cancel coverage for members who submitted expensive claims. Anthem Blue Cross is California’s largest for-profit health plan, with more than eight million members. Los Angeles Times et al.
U.S. Labor Department Argues Against S.F. Health Care Program
Attorneys from the U.S. Department of Labor are joining the Golden Gate Restaurant Association in its challenge to a key funding provision of San Francisco’s universal health access program. The case goes before an appeals court panel today. San Francisco Chronicle.
Insurers Fight To Block Bills To Expand Coverage Mandates in California
Health plans in California say that bills aiming to expand the services that health plans must cover would add more than $2 billion in costs to insurers and cause 85,000 people to lose coverage because of higher premiums. Bill supporters challenge the cost estimates. Capitol Weekly.
House Panel OKs Bill To Block New Medicaid Rules
The House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously passed a bill that would block Medicaid rules supported by the Bush administration from going into effect until March 2009. HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said the president’s senior advisers would urge the president to veto the bill. Gov. Schwarzenegger said the Bush administration’s proposed rules would cost California $12 billion over five years. AP/Austin American-Statesman, Office of the Governor release.
Technology Could Be Key to Prison Health Care Reform
A series of articles in CIO Magazine addresses the role of technology in reforming California’s prison health care system. Meanwhile, a Los Angeles Times editorial argues that the Legislature’s inaction on prison health care reform is costing taxpayers. CIO Magazine, Los Angeles Times.
Former Senate Leaders To Work on Health Care Policy
Four former Senate majority leaders — Bob Dole (R), George Mitchell (D), Tom Daschle (D) and Howard Baker (R) — will work together to develop a series of health policy recommendations. The former senators will deliver their recommendations in 2009 to a new president and Congress. AP/Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
Researchers Say PHR Market Raises New Privacy Concerns
The authors of a New England Journal of Medicine article published Wednesday warn that the entry of large companies such as Microsoft and Google into the personal health record market will significantly change the control and ownership of patient information. New York Times.
Union Dispute Could Cramp Labor Spending on Upcoming Elections
The Service Employees International Union has instructed its members to stop paying dues to protest actions by the California Nurses Association at an SEIU event in Ohio. A union official said the move could drain $15 million from union causes. Sacramento Bee, Los Angeles Times.
Report: Chemical in Plastic Might Put Children At Risk
In a report released Tuesday, NIH’s National Toxicology Program concluded that a controversial, estrogen-like chemical found in polycarbonate plastic could be harming the development of children’s brains and reproductive organs. Los Angeles Times.
Camps for Children With Chronic Diseases on the Rise
Early research shows that camps specially designed for children with asthma, diabetes and other chronic conditions can have long-term benefits. The camps are often organized by children’s hospitals or advocacy groups and help children learn more about their conditions. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.