Latest California Healthline Stories
Lawmakers Add Health Care Measures to Medicare Bill
Legislation dealing with Medicare, Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program could be added to a measure that aims to stop Medicare payments to physicians from being cut. Members of Congress said they hope President Bush will be more flexible this session. CongressDaily.
Federal Court in San Francisco Permits Suit Faulting VA Health Care
A federal judge ruled that the Department of Veterans Affairs must provide at least two years of health care and other benefits to military personnel after they leave the service. Another hearing in the case is scheduled for Feb. 22. Contra Costa Times, San Francisco Chronicle.
Aetna Out-of-Network Policy Draws Fire From Physicians
The American Medical Association charges that Aetna is in violation of a 2003 court settlement over physician claims and denials. The insurer defends its policy, saying that in some cases, physicians are submitting improper bills. Hartford Courant.
California Seeks To Boost Businesses’ Access To Cardiac Defibrillators
The California Emergency Medical Services Authority intends to make automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, available to any business that trains and certifies its workers. The device greatly improves survival rates of heart attacks when used within minutes. Oakland Tribune.
Health Care Not Spared in Schwarzenegger Budget Proposal
Gov. Schwarzenegger yesterday proposed slashing state spending by about 10% across the board. Medi-Cal would lose about $1 billion in state funding under the plan, but the actual loss could be much higher because the state would forgo federal matching funds. San Jose Mercury News et al.
Health Care Election News for the Week of Jan. 11, 2008
Presidential candidates from both parties faced off in back-to-back debates in New Hampshire, with health care being a main focus of some candidates.
Congress Must Clarify Law on Employee Health Benefits
An editorial argues that legislation to overhaul California’s health care system will face legal battles from business groups that oppose the bill’s mandatory employer contributions toward health coverage unless Congress clarifies a federal law governing employee health benefits. Los Angeles Times.
Perata Expects No Changes to Health Care Reform Financing Plan
Democratic Senate leader Don Perata said he doesn’t expect California’s upper legislative body to amend compromise health care reform legislation in ways that would affect the funding proposal that has been submitted as a ballot initiative. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert,” Sacramento Bee.
Court OKs Employer Funding for San Francisco Health Care Plan
A three-judge panel yesterday allowed San Francisco to begin mandating employer contributions to its health care access program while the court hears the city’s appeal of a previous decision to overturn the mandate. The city is relying on funding from the employer provision to finance an expansion of the program to all uninsured residents. San Francisco Chronicle et al.