Latest California Healthline Stories
Bush Budget Proposal Targets Spending on Health Care Programs
President Bush’s 2009 budget request would reduce Medicare spending growth to 5% by lowering reimbursements to providers and raising premiums for the Medicare drug benefit. The proposal also reins in spending for Medicaid, CDC and NIH. Wall Street Journal et al.
President Bush Will Seek Cuts to Medicare, Medicaid in Budget Plan
President Bush’s 2009 budget proposal is expected to cut Medicaid costs and Medicare payments for hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, ambulances and home care. The hospital cuts target construction, teaching facilities and institutions that treat many low-income patients. New York Times.
Business Group Outlines Proposal for Achieving Universal Coverage
The National Business Group on Health released a health care reform plan that would require all U.S. residents to purchase health insurance. The plan would extend to individuals the same tax advantages currently offered to employers that provide health insurance. Dow Jones.
Unions Tipped Support Away From Individual Mandate
The failure of California’s attempt at health care reform has “national political implications” in the presidential race and the debate over whether individuals should be required to purchase health insurance, Reason Foundation analyst Shikha Dalmia writes in an opinion piece. Wall Street Journal.
Advocates Tout Respite Care Centers for the Homeless
Temporary care facilities, or respite centers, are being hailed by homeless advocates as a way to help discharged homeless patients continue to receive care instead of being discharged from a hospital to a traditional shelter or the streets. Stockton Record.
National Health Reform Efforts Focus of Debate After California
Health care analysts argue that limited federal support has hindered state-based health care reform efforts and that national reform seems to be the only viable option to rework the health care system. The collapse of the health care reform deal negotiated by Gov. Schwarzenegger and Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez underlines the need for a national plan, analysts say. Washington Post et al.
Proposed Medi-Cal Cuts Prompt Concerns Over Access to Health Care
To help lower a $14.5 billion state budget deficit, Gov. Schwarzenegger has proposed cutting Medi-Cal reimbursement rates to health care providers and adopting strict eligibility verification rules. Providers are concerned the cuts would reduce access to care. Ventura County Star.
Employer Coalition To Offer Bonuses for Improved Care
A new program from a coalition of large employers will provide physicians with incentives for following up with patients, tracking laboratory tests and other measures related to coordinating care. Coalition officials estimate savings of $250 to $300 per patient in the first year. Wall Street Journal.
San Diego Labs Sue To Stop Competitive Bidding Project Under Medicare
The lawsuit, filed by three clinical laboratories in San Diego County, seeks to block a CMS pilot program that requires labs to bid competitively for commonly ordered lab tests. The program, set to take effect Feb. 15, aims to lower Medicare costs. San Diego Union-Tribune.