Latest California Healthline Stories
Barber Shops, Food Pantries Help States Reach Uninsured
State officials and researchers are working to reduce health disparities by targeting uninsured and low-income residents at beauty salons, barber shops, churches and food pantries. The programs offer health screenings, education and disease management. AP/USA Today.
New Health Care-Related Measures Set to Take Effect in California Jan. 1
Numerous health-related bills signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) are taking effect this year, including a ban on smoking in cars with children present and the inclusion of HIV tests as part of routine medical exams. Los Angeles Times et al.
Federal Agency Authorizes Benefits Cuts for Retirees Over 65
The ruling by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission allows employers to offer different health benefits to retirees younger than age 65 and those older than age 65, who are eligible for Medicare. Several labor and employer groups supported the ruling. New York Times et al.
Bush Criticizes Congress for Amount of Earmarks in Omnibus Budget Bill
President Bush said he would direct the budget chief to look into ways to deal with “wasteful spending” in the $555 billion omnibus budget bill. The bill meets many of Bush’s spending requests but also shifts funds to health care and other Democrat-backed issues. USA Today.
Mental Health Benefits for Veterans Vary by State
An analysis by McClatchy new found regional variances in levels of disability payments for Troops returning home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who have mental illnesses. Meanwhile, some lawmakers are worried about access to mental health treatment for veterans who were not honorably discharged. McClatchy/Miami Herald, NPR’s “All Things Considered.”
Health Care Election News for the Week of Dec. 21, 2007
Some of the Democratic presidential candidates criticize the health insurance industry at various campaign stops around the nation. Meanwhile, Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani says his health care proposal would reduce costs. New York Times et al.
GAO Report Finds Problem Payments To CMS Contractors
A Government Accountability Office report found that some of payments CMS made to contractors working on the Medicare prescription drug benefit did not comply with their contract terms. The agency might have made $90 million in questionable payments, GAO said. Associated Press.
Orange County Repays $7M to Government for Medicare Overbilling
The overbilling occurred between 1990 and 1999 when the county was incorrectly reimbursed for psychiatric and evaluative interviews not conducted by physicians. The county also was improperly paid for dispensing self-administered methadone. Los Angeles Times.