Latest California Healthline Stories
Major Doctors Group Barred From Medicare Talks
The Senate Finance Committee decided to prohibit the American Medical Association from participating in negotiations over a cut to Medicare physician reimbursements after the group allegedly broke a confidentiality agreement last year. AMA wants to delay the cuts by 18 months. CongressDaily.
New Web Site Aims To Collect Complaints About Health Insurers
Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo announced a new Web site that will allow patients, physicians, hospitals and insurance company employees to report details of problems that they have had with health insurers. Los Angeles Times.
California Hospital News Roundup for Feb. 15, 2008
CMS rejected a plan by Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Fresno to address problems raised in a federal inspection report. Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo is the first hospital in the state to offer a new ultrasound technique for treating patients with heart rhythm problems.
Massachusetts Officials Look To Offset Health Plan Costs
About half of beneficiaries in Massachusetts’ subsidized health plan could face premium increases of up to 14% and higher copayments if officials approve a plan designed to hold down the program’s cost. The state’s cost for the program could double over the next three years. Boston Globe.
Budget Deficit Raises Possibility of Closing L.A. County Health Clinics
County health officials are weighing options for dealing with a budget deficit that is projected to exceed $1 billion within four years. Meanwhile, the county board of supervisors is faced with federal sanctions at a third county-run hospital. Los Angeles Times et al.
Senate Budget Committee OKs Medi-Cal Reimbursement Cuts
The 10% reduction in Medi-Cal payments to health care providers is part of an effort to address the state budget deficit, which a new estimate is expected to place above the current $14.5 billion projection. If the Legislature approves the cuts, Medi-Cal would lose at least $577 million in funding. Sacramento Bee, Los Angeles Times.
Six California Nursing Homes Added to CMS List for More Oversight
CMS’ most recent list of nursing homes with histories of quality problems included six California facilities, one of which lost eligibility for federal funds. A facility in Yuba City was removed from the list after improving conditions since it was cited in 2007. Riverside Press-Enterprise.