Latest California Healthline Stories
Columnist Profiles Cancer Patient Without Insurance
New York Times columnist Bob Herbert profiles a New York patient without health insurance who faces high medical expenses due to a diagnosis of cancer of the duodenum. The American Cancer Society has been raising awareness of uninsured patients diagnosed with cancer. New York Times.
San Diego County Ordered To Expand Health Care Benefit
A Superior Court judge recently issued a stopgap measure to expand eligibility for the San Diego County Medical Services program until the county submits its own eligibility guidelines that meet the court’s approval. County officials warn that other county programs will have to be delayed or canceled because of the expansion’s cost. San Diego Union-Tribune.
U.S. Must ‘Talk Openly’ To Fix Health Care System
Former U.S. Rep. Geraldine Ferraro in an opinion piece writes that it is “unconscionable that [the U.S. has] a health care system where people are denied the treatment they need because they can’t afford it.” Newsweek.
Fires Force Evacuations at San Diego County Medical Facilities
About 200 patients at Pomerado Hospital and nursing homes in a San Diego suburb were transported by bus or ambulance to nearby locations as wildfires moved closer to the facilities. President Bush and Gov. Schwarzenegger have declared states of emergency in seven fire-ravaged counties, where almost 300,000 residents have fled their homes. Fresno Bee et al.
Private Equity Firm Pledges Quality Nursing Home Care
Organized labor has raised concerns about the Carlyle Group’s purchase of the Manor Care nursing home chain, prompting Carlyle to take the unusual step of assuring state regulators that the firm would maintain investments and staffing levels at the facilities. Washington Post.
Fate of Oversight Boards for Health Jobs Unclear
Given his past proposals to eliminate consumer boards, Gov. Schwarzenegger might seek to change the oversight mechanism for dental professionals, some nurses and other occupations. Sacramento Bee.
Not-for-Profit Hospitals’ Tax-Exempt Status Comes Under Scrutiny
Hospitals with tax-exempt status are required to provide a certain amount of charity care. Some states do not require hospitals to detail the no-cost care they provide, and the Internal Revenue Service requires little information about charity care. Detroit Free Press.
Physicians Blame Mergers for Contract Disputes With Insurers
California physicians argue that mergers between insurers resulted in lower reimbursement rates and other contract disputes. Insurers defend the mergers, but complaints from doctors and consumers have prompted penalties and other actions by state regulators. San Francisco Business Times.
Top House Republicans Seek Meeting on Kids’ Health Compromise
Republican House leaders requested a meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to begin work on a new bill to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program after the House last week failed to override President Bush’s veto of compromise legislation. CongressDaily et al.
Physicians Offer Flat-fee, Prepaid Medical Plans
Hundreds of physicians are allowing patients to prepay for unlimited access to services. Supporters say the plans help primary care physicians reduce administrative issues and raise profits, but health insurers worry that patients will bypass other coverage. Wall Street Journal.