Latest California Healthline Stories
Senate Medicare Bill Will Nix Medicare Advantage Cuts
President Bush has threatened to veto any legislation that includes lower payments to Medicare Advantage plans. After Republicans threatened a filibuster, Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus reversed his stance on the issue, saying that the chamber would draft a bill that will leave the payments in place. CongressDaily, CQ Today.
Insurance Chief Poizner Announces Case Against Blue Shield Subsidiary
Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner said California’s pursuit of a $12.6 million fine against Blue Shield Life & Health should serve as a warning to other health insurers about policy cancellations and claims handling. Company officials said they would fight the charges. Sacramento Bee et al.
Health Care Election News for the Week of Dec. 14
Democratic and Republican presidential candidates participated in debates in Iowa this week and discussed their health care reform proposals at campaign events in early primary states. Meanwhile, ABC News broadcast a three-part series on health care in the election. New York Times et al.
Lawmakers Push To Finalize Federal Budget Ahead of Vote Next Week
As budget talks continued, the House and Senate approved a third continuing resolution to fund most Cabinet departments and federal agencies until Dec. 21. House leaders hope to bring the more than $500 billion omnibus package to a vote Monday or Tuesday. CQ Today et al.
Report Urges Greater Transparency for Not-for-Profit Hospitals
In a report comparing charity care provided by for-profit and not-for-profit facilities in California, the state auditor raised questions about whether the data are reliable because of an absence of uniform standards for what qualifies as a “community benefit.” Los Angeles Times.
Partisanship Marks Sluggish Process of Health Reform
As 2007 comes to a close, many observers question the chances for broad national health care reform at a time when Congress and President Bush have failed to reach an agreement reauthorizing the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. Government’s role in health care is expected to remain the crux of the reform debate. Los Angeles Times.