Latest California Healthline Stories
San Joaquin Ambulance Firm OK’d To Continue Operation
San Andreas Ambulance’s permit to operate in the county expired more than a year ago. County officials had denied a recent renewal application, but the company is now allowed to operate under probation after providing the necessary documentation. Stockton Record.
Dodd Announces Plan for Veterans’ Health Care
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Chris Dodd would require shorter wait periods for veterans to find out if they qualify for disability benefits and expand the Family and Medical Leave Act so family members could take more time to care for sick or injured veterans. Des Moines Register.
Senate Sends Budget Package To House; Veterans Bill Held
Senate Republicans used a budget rule to separate a Military Construction-Veterans Affairs appropriations bill from a spending package containing the Labor-HHS-Education bill. The remaining bill now returns to the House, which is expected to send the measure to President Bush. Bloomberg/Philadelphia Inquirer et al.
California Democrats Hope Revised Reform Plan Can Win Support
Business groups came out against an updated health care reform proposal from California Democratic legislative leaders, but supporters of the plan hope that provisions intended to control the cost of the coverage expansion will win support from businesses. KQED’s “The California Report” et al.
Kaiser Reports Major Jump in Earnings Despite Flat Membership
Net income more than doubled for the first three quarters of 2007, while investment income for the third quarter more than tripled. Kaiser also reported gains in revenue. About 75% of Kaiser’s 8.7 million members are in California. San Francisco Business Times, San Francisco Chronicle.
Pharmacy Groups Sue To Block Medicaid Cuts to Generics Payments
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association are suing HHS and CMS over a rule that will redefine how Medicaid pays for medications. The groups say the rule will lower payments below pharmacies’ purchase price. The Hill et al.
Clinton Health Care Reform Experience Draws Scrutiny
An ongoing NPR series on landmark moments in presidential candidates’ political careers on Wednesday looked at Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s (D-N.Y.) efforts as first lady to overhaul the U.S. health care system in the 1990s. Meanwhile, an opinion piece argues that Clinton’s positions on health care will sway public support to Republicans. NPR’s “All Things Considered,” Washington Times.
Lawmakers Fail To Meet Deadline for Children’s Health Compromise Bill
Lawmakers by Wednesday had hoped to negotiate a State Children’s Health Insurance Program bill that could win enough support from House Republicans to override a veto. A document released by Senate leaders shows an impasse over income caps and adult coverage. CongressDaily et al.
California Representatives Seek To Freeze Medicare Audit Effort
Members of California’s congressional delegation say a Medicare pilot program that lets auditors review claims in California, Florida and New York has hurt rehabilitation hospitals and is affecting beneficiaries’ access to care. Legislation they are sponsoring calls for a one-year delay before the program would expand nationwide. Sacramento Bee.
Editorials React to Defeat of Oregon Tobacco Tax Hike
Two editorials say the defeat of an Oregon ballot measure that would have increased the state’s cigarette tax to fund health insurance for children could provide lessons for the children’s health debate in Washington. New York Times, Wall Street Journal.