Latest California Healthline Stories
Debate Continues Over Spending Amounts in Medicare Reform Package
Cuts to Medicare Advantage plans and reductions in Medicare physician payments remain sticking points in negotiations over Medicare reform legislation. Some lawmakers also are lobbying for more scrutiny of physician-owned specialty hospitals. CongressDaily, Washington Post.
Political Changes Could Encourage E-Prescribing
A Senate bill that would require Medicare providers to use electronic prescribing by 2011 or face penalties could lead to broader adoption of the practice. The Bush administration also backs e-prescribing. The changes could benefit SureScripts, which operates an online prescription processing network. Washington Post.
Fewer Medicare Drug Plans Offer ‘Doughnut Hole’ Coverage in 2008
In 2008, a drug plan available in Florida will be the only one to include coverage of brand-name medications in the gap in Medicare coverage known as the “doughnut hole.” However, more plans in California will cover generic drugs in the gap. San Francisco Chronicle, Wall Street Journal.
Two-Thirds of Students Fail State Physical Fitness Test
The 2007 California Physical Fitness Test found that less than one-third of fifth-, seventh- and ninth-graders met fitness standards in six categories, including body fat percentage. Experts say the results highlight the growing problem of childhood obesity. San Diego Union-Tribune et al.
Health Care Reform News From Around the Nation: Dec. 10, 2007
In Massachusetts, health insurance enrollment surged as residents rushed to sign up for coverage ahead of a year-end deadline under the state’s health care reform law. Meanwhile, an Illinois business group sues to block Gov. Rod Blagojevich from expanding a state insurance program.
Schwarzenegger, Núñez See Shared Fate on Health Care
An opinion piece argues that Gov. Schwarzenegger and Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez are relying on one another to push debate on health care reform forward and win voter approval of a proposed funding mechanism for the plan. Los Angeles Times.
San Francisco Seeks To Rein In Health Care Liability for Retirees
A San Francisco supervisor hopes to reduce the city’s future spending on retiree health care benefits by pushing back the age when city workers could collect benefits and making other changes to eligibility rules. Mayor Newsom supports the plan. San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner.
New Medicare Rule Will Cut Payments for Cancer Drugs
Patient advocates say a new Medicare policy that will set a standard $16,000 reimbursement rate for cancer drugs called radioimmunotherapies will reduce development of similar treatments and hurt access. Drug makers say the therapies cost $30,000 each, while CMS maintains that Medicare is overpaying under the current policy. New York Times.