Latest California Healthline Stories
L.A. City Attorney Informs Blue Cross of Wider Investigation
In a letter sent last week, an assistant city attorney told Blue Cross of California that a special litigation unit will investigate the insurer’s policies for canceling coverage, as well as changes to its practices. Los Angeles Times.
Cancer Risk Continues After Ending Hormone Therapy
Women who take estrogen and progestin hormones face an increased risk of being diagnosed with breast and other types of cancer up to three years after they stop taking the hormones, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. San Francisco Chronicle.
House Set To Vote on Mental Health Parity Legislation
The House bill would require insurers to significantly broaden coverage for mental illnesses. A similar bill passed the Senate last year, but House members declined to take up the measure until recently because of disagreements over the scope of the coverage requirements. NPR’s “Morning Edition.”
Online Health Market Grows, Privacy Concerns Remain
Health IT companies gathered in San Diego Tuesday at the Health 2.0 conference to demonstrate their latest interactive online health offerings. However, despite the growing buzz in the health IT industry, privacy and security concerns remain about posting personal health information online. San Diego Union-Tribune.
CalPERS Takes Lead in New Health Care Investment Initiative
CalPERS will head a new coalition of state pension funds and employers that will consider investments in chronic care management, genomics and corporate wellness programs. The project was launched by private equity firm Health Evolution Partners. San Francisco Business Times.
Providers, Beneficiaries Hit by 10% Medi-Cal Cut
A 10% cut to Medi-Cal payments to providers is intended to help reduce the state’s budget deficit, but some Northern California residents say it will prompt job cuts and make it difficult for companies to continue providing services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries. Eureka Reporter.
San Francisco Health Panel OKs Half of Immediate Spending Cuts
Taking effect on April 15, the budget cuts will scale back mental health services, reduce hours for an oral surgery clinic and operating department at San Francisco General Hospital and end a home care program for people with chronic illnesses. More cuts will be needed to close San Francisco’s budget deficit unless the city can boost revenue. San Francisco Chronicle.
AARP: Prescription Drug Prices Up More Than 7%
Data from AARP indicate that name-brand prescription drug costs increased by 7.4% in 2007 and that the prices increased for all but four of the more than 200 drugs AARP kept tabs on. AP/Contra Costa Times.
Eligibility Rules for San Diego County Health Care Program Challenged
San Diego County residents have filed a motion arguing that reworked rules for the county’s health care benefits program for indigent residents do not meet the requirements laid out in an earlier court ruling. County officials dispute the claim. Los Angeles Daily Journal.
San Diego County Measles Outbreak Nears Official End
A measles outbreak in San Diego County, which began about a month ago, will officially be over tomorrow as long as no new patients are diagnosed with the virus before then. Twelve children, all of whom have recovered, were infected during the outbreak. San Diego Union-Tribune.