Latest California Healthline Stories
Survey Warns of Drop in San Diego Doctors Who Take Medi-Cal, Medicare
The San Diego County Medical Society expects more physicians to decline patients covered by Medicare, Medi-Cal and the County Medical Services plan because of inadequate reimbursements. The group’s most recent survey suggests the problem is growing more serious. San Diego Union-Tribune, KPBS News.
Assembly OKs Bill Aimed at Closing Loophole on Insurance Cancellations
The bill would expand an existing California law that bars insurers from linking claims reviewers’ compensation to their claims decisions. The measure has won the backing of health insurers, consumer advocacy groups and the California Medical Association. Los Angeles Times.
Kaiser Members Testing Flu Vaccine To Fight Pandemic
Kaiser Permanente’s Vaccine Study Center is running a clinical trial of a new flu vaccine that could be deployed within a month of a pandemic, compared with five to six months for currently licensed flu vaccines. Oakland Tribune.
Pelosi Outlines 2008 Democratic Priorities for Health Initiatives
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Medicaid is a priority for Democrats in 2008. She also indicated Democrats might use the renewal of the No Child Left Behind Act as a bargaining chip to push for expanded children’s health insurance. San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times.
Budget Plan Expected To Cut Dental Services for Low-Income Residents
The California Dental Association argues that Gov. Schwarzenegger’s proposal to cut dental services for adult Medi-Cal beneficiaries would be “devastating.” The group is working on a contingency plan if the cuts go through but warns that charity care will be inadequate. Ventura County Star.
Urgent Care Centers Offer Alternative to Crowded EDs
Urgent care centers offer shorter wait times and more convenient hours for insured patients or those who can afford to pay cash. Although the urgent care market is growing, many centers do not provide care for the uninsured or Medi-Cal patients. Fresno Bee.
Employers Offer Stipends Toward Non-Group Policies
Some smaller businesses are providing employees with money to buy their own individual health insurance policies through health savings accounts or similar programs. Employers hope the move will help cut administrative costs and premium increases associated with offering employer-sponsored coverage. Wall Street Journal.
Nitpicking Over Budget Disrupts Health IT Goals
In an opinion piece, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and David Merritt of the Center for Health Transformation write that Office of Management and Budget officials have “undercut” the president’s health information technology goals “because of petty turf battles,” especially in New Orleans. Roll Call.
Bush Addresses Health Care in Final State of the Union Address
In his State of the Union address, President Bush called for more market competition to reduce health costs and improve access. Bush did not present any new health care proposals but touched on a previous plan to offer tax deductions for purchasing coverage. Washington Post et al.
California Regulators Set To Announce Record Fine for UnitedHealth
UnitedHealth could face more than $1 billion in penalties and fines for problems processing claims after its 2006 takeover of California-based PacifiCare. California’s insurance and HMO regulators will make a joint announcement today. San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times.