Latest California Healthline Stories
Senators Call on Bush To Rescind New Rules That Restrict Kids’ Insurance
A letter signed by 44 senators asks President Bush to repeal new requirements that limit enrollment in the State Children’s Health Insurance Program to the lowest-income children. The letter included signatures from five Republicans. CongressDaily et al.
Veterans’ Wait Times for Health Care Violate Policy
A new report finds that the Veterans Health Administration falsely reported to Congress that 95% of its appointments were scheduled within wait times of 30 days or less as department policy requires. However, only about 75% of appointments were scheduled within that time frame, according to the report. AP/Arizona Daily Star, CongressDaily.
California Nurses Association Pushes for Health Care Reform
The California Nurses Association is backing a state-run, single-payer health care system and a bill in Congress that aims to provide universal health care. CNA over the years has led campaigns on wages, working hours and staffing levels. Los Angeles Times, Oakland Tribune.
Blue Cross Selected To Run CalPERS’ New PPO Network
Blue Cross of California already administers CalPERS’ two existing health plans. The new network is designed to be more efficient and cost-effective. CalPERS in 2008 will spend a total of $5.3 billion on its health plans. San Francisco Business Journal.
HMO Rates, Medical Costs Set To Increase in 2008
HMO rates for government employees covered by CalPERS are set to increase by 7.4% in 2008. The rate hike is lower than most private-sector businesses because of CalPERS’ cost-cutting initiatives. Sacramento Business Journal.
Governor Vows To Veto Health Reform Passed by Legislature
Just hours before the Legislature approved Democrats’ health reform bill, Gov. Schwarzenegger said he would veto the legislation because it does not adequately share the cost of expanding coverage or extend coverage to all Californians. The governor will call a special session to continue the debate on health reform. San Diego Union-Tribune et al.
Dialysis Industry Cites Race in Marketing Anemia Drugs
The kidney dialysis industry is using data to show that black patients often require higher doses of the anemia drug, Epogen, and would suffer the most from any curbs on Medicare reimbursements for the medication as proposed in legislation recently passed by the House. Wall Street Journal.
Higher Premiums Expected for Workers With Unhealthy Habits
Once new federal rules are finalized, more employers are expected to begin charging higher health plan premiums to employees with unhealthy habits. The practice aims to reduce employers’ health care costs, but some employees and advocates have raised legal concerns. AP/USA Today.
Report: Federal Agency Fails To Properly Audit Medicare Plan Payments
CMS has not properly audited the private health insurers participating in Medicare or attempted to recover overpayments of tens of millions of dollars, according to a new Government Accountability Office report. CMS says it is unauthorized to recover the overpayments. New York Times.
Prison Reformer Loses Court Battle Over Inspections
Robert Sillen, California’s court-appointed receiver in charge of improving health care at state prisons, tried to stop an inmate rights group from conducting health care inspections, alleging that they interfered with his job. Sacramento Bee.