Latest California Healthline Stories
Bush Releases Budget Request With Limits on Medicare Growth
The White House says its fiscal year 2009 budget proposal would save Medicare $10 trillion over the next 75 years. Hospitals and other providers in traditional Medicare could see some of the sharpest reductions in the form of lower reimbursements. Baltimore Sun et al.
White House Opposes Mental Health Care for Vets in Suit
The Bush administration filed arguments in a lawsuit stating that veterans are not entitled to health care for mental conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder. Veterans groups who brought the suit allege the VA failed to provide promised care and classified PTSD claims as pre-existing to avoid paying. San Francisco Chronicle.
Ventura County Part of CMS Project To Cover Uninsured
Ventura and nine other California counties are participating in the Access Coverage Enrollment program, a CMS demonstration project intended to determine how to improve care and reduce health care costs for the uninsured through preventive care and chronic disease management. Ventura County Star.
Analysts Mull Reasons for Fewer FDA Drug Approvals
FDA in 2007 approved the fewest number of new medications since 1993, a fact some experts view as a sign that the agency is taking a more cautious approach after drawing criticism for drugs like Vioxx and Bextra. Others attribute the decline to a drop in new discoveries by drug makers. USA Today.
Lawmakers To Examine Medi-Cal Cuts in Governor’s Budget Plan
The Senate Budget Committee will meet today to discuss Gov. Schwarzenegger’s plan to eliminate about $1 billion from Medi-Cal as part of his efforts to reduce the $14.5 billion state budget deficit. Cuts to the program include reduced benefits and lower reimbursement rates for doctors, who argue that lower rates would impair access to care for beneficiaries. Sacramento Bee.
VA Raises Payments for Vets Who Travel To Receive Care
The Department of Veterans Affairs will now reimburse disabled veterans who have to travel to receive health care 28.5 cents per mile, up from 11 cents per mile. The increase is the first change since 1977. Helena Independent Record/Billings Gazette.
Bush Seeks More Funds for Kids’ Health, Cuts to Medicare, Medicaid
President Bush’s 2009 budget plan, due out today, will request a $19.7 billion increase in funding for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. However, much of the budget debate is expected to center on a proposed $200 billion reduction to Medicare and Medicaid. New York Times et al.
Cost of Massachusetts Health Overhaul To Double Over Three Years
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick is seeking more federal assistance to cover higher-than-expected enrollment in the state’s health coverage program. The state overestimated the savings the overhaul would generate and underestimated the amount businesses would contribute. Boston Globe.
Settlement Approved in Scripps Lawsuit Over Bills for Uninsured
A judge Friday gave preliminary approval to a settlement between Scripps Health and uninsured patients who claim five Scripps hospitals billed them an average of 412% higher than Medicare rates. More than 60,000 patients could get a refund or discount. San Diego Union-Tribune.
CDC Warns of Link Between Flu Cases, Staph Infections
CDC is urging physicians to report all flu deaths among children after an increase in cases associated with staph infections, including drug-resistant strains. The agency is investigating whether some staph strains have developed increased ability to cause diseases. Atlanta Journal-Constitution.