Latest California Healthline Stories
Lawsuit Challenges Medi-Cal Rules for Kids in Detention Centers
The lawsuit faults California for automatically terminating Medi-Cal benefits for juvenile beneficiaries who enter detention centers. The suit seeks to require Medi-Cal to cover inpatient psychiatric services for minor beneficiaries in custody. Bay City News/San Francisco Examiner.
UnitedHealth Reports 15% Increase in Net Income
The percentage of premium revenue that UnitedHealth Group spends on patient care declined by 1.6 percentage points, demonstrating containment of health care costs. UnitedHealth also posted strong results in Medicare and Medicaid businesses. AP/Long Island Newsday et al.
Aetna Revises Policy on Reimbursing for Anemia Drugs in Cancer Cases
Aetna’s new reimbursement policy for anemia drugs for cancer patients is not as restrictive as Medicare’s, but the move still is expected to draw criticism from members and some physicians. Analysts predict that other health insurers will implement similar policies. Los Angeles Times.
More Evidence Needed on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Report Finds
A new Institute of Medicine report finds that there is not enough scientific evidence to determine if many treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder are effective. IOM said the report should not stop patients from receiving recommended care. AP/Long Island Newsday et al.
Partisanship, Interest Groups Hinder Health Reform
An editorial argues that labor groups’ partisan campaign against Gov. Schwarzenegger’s health care reform proposal could bring negotiations to a standstill, while a columnist cites the seeming influence of special interests in the fate of health care legislation in making the case for campaign finance reform. San Francisco Chronicle, Oakland Tribune.
Kaiser Reassigns Nurses Providing Primary Care
Sixteen Kaiser Permanente nurse practitioners who provided primary care services will be forced to transfer to specialty departments. A nurses union contends that Kaiser overhired physicians and miscalculated its membership growth in the Contra Costa County region. Oakland Tribune.
Coalition Urges Privacy Measures in E-Health Record Legislation
A group of lawmakers and businesses are urging Congress to pass a bill to protect electronic health records from potential misuse and identity theft. Congress currently is considering legislation that would let data mining companies and other groups access EHRs. Washington Times.
Presidential Candidate Thompson Calls for Cutting Medicare Costs
Former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) said that Medicare could become insolvent if costs are not reduced. Meanwhile, rival GOP candidate Sen. John McCain participated in a teleconference held by business groups to discuss issues including health care. New York Times et al.