Latest California Healthline Stories
Drew University Sues L.A. County Over Billing Issues
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science is seeking at least $2 million in damages for incomplete, late or inaccurate billings from Los Angeles County for services at the university’s former teaching hospital, Martin Luther King Jr.-Drew Medical Center. AP/Sacramento Bee.
Senate Stimulus Plan Lacks Medicaid Boost for States
An economic stimulus package approved by the Senate Finance Committee does not include a temporary increase in funding for state Medicaid programs. Amendments related to Medicaid and other provisions were axed after committee leaders pushed to keep the bill from being loaded up with extras. CongressDaily.
Health Care Cost Growth Not Sustainable, GAO Chief Says
Comptroller General David Walker said rising health care costs could “bankrupt America” as the population ages, adding that the nation’s structural debt totals $53 trillion if promised funding for Medicare and Social Security benefits, veterans health care and other commitments are met. CongressDaily.
Payment Issues Result in Closure of Wal-Mart Clinics
Retail health clinics in 23 Wal-Mart stores in Florida, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi closed after clinic operator CheckUps was unable to make payments to some vendors. Wal-Mart hopes to reopen the clinics under another operator. New York Times, Miami Herald.
House Passes Stimulus Plan Without Medicaid Assistance
The $146 billion economic stimulus plan now heads to the Senate, where lawmakers favor a larger package that could include a temporary increase in the federal medical assistance percentage for states’ Medicaid programs. An amendment by Sen. Jay Rockefeller would increase the FMAP. AP/Richmond Times-Dispatch et al.
UnitedHealth’s PacifiCare Unit Hit With Record $3.5M Fine in California
The Department of Managed Health Care issued its largest fine ever against PacifiCare for improper claims processing. Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner raised the possibility of other penalties, as well as a wider investigation of the insurance industry. Sacramento Bee et al.
Blue Shield of California Announces $100M IT Deal
The TriZetto Group will work with Blue Shield of California to update data systems as part of an effort to make it easier to work with the not-for-profit health plan. Blue Shield has about 3.2 million members statewide. San Francisco Business Times.
Democratic Task Force To Push E-Prescribing Bill
A health care task force formed by the New Democrat Coalition will advocate for modernizing health care and other issues that they hope will attract bipartisan support. The task force is backing a bill by Sen. John Kerry that would require electronic prescribing by Medicare providers. CongressDaily, CQ HealthBeat.
Proponents of Defeated Health Reform Bill Remain Steadfast
Gov. Schwarzenegger said he plans to “regroup” with Assembly Speaker Núñez and other proponents of his failed health care plan and determine why the measure was rejected by the Senate Health Committee. Don Perata, the Senate leader, said concerns over the state’s $14.5 billion budget deficit overshadowed the plan and prompted its defeat. Sacramento Bee et al.
Charity Care Spending Low at San Francisco Hospitals, Report Finds
San Francisco’s Department of Public Health found that the city’s five not-for-profit hospitals received a total of $79 million in tax breaks last year but only spent $16 million on charity care. One hospital accounted for the bulk of the discrepancy. San Francisco Chronicle.