Latest California Healthline Stories
Planned Parenthood Pushes Boost in Medi-Cal Payments
Planned Parenthood officials say low Medi-Cal payments are causing them to cut services and turn away beneficiaries seeking primary care, but raising reimbursement rates could be a tough sell this budget year. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Marketing of Medicare Advantage Plans Scrutinized
State and federal officials are investigating the legality of some insurance brokers’ sales pitches for certain types of Medicare Advantage plans that can increase costs and limit access for beneficiaries. New York Times et al.
Kaiser Permanente Income, Enrollment on the Rise
Membership jumped by about 40,000 in the first quarter of 2007, while operating and net income increased and capital spending declined. Sacramento Business Journal.
Business Coalition Sets Sights on Universal Health Insurance
Eighteen of the largest Fortune 500 firms have joined dozens of other major businesses to back key aspects of Gov. Schwarzenegger’s health care reform plan. The governor continues to make his case for reform in interviews with California broadcasters, but Republican legislators and the California Nurses Association are touting much different proposals. Los Angeles Times et al.
New Medical Beds Included in State Prison Overhaul
Gov. Schwarzenegger says construction of correctional facilities housing more than 50,000 new beds could be completed within 18 months. The federal overseer of the state prison health care system will determine where and how 8,000 beds for medical treatment will be allocated. Sacramento Bee et al.
First Clinic for Women, Kids Opens in Ventura County
The clinic expects to treat thousands of Ventura County women and children who are enrolled in Medi-Cal, Healthy Families and other public subsidized health care plans, as well as private and county plans. Ventura County Star.
Debate Heats Up Over Retiree Health Care in San Diego County
After declining to vote on a county plan to scale back retiree health care benefits for some county workers, the county retirement board has offered a counterproposal. If it’s rejected, the issue is likely to end up in court. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Bush Names Choice for New Administrator of Medicare, Medicaid
President Bush picked HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt’s deputy chief of staff to head CMS. The agency’s interim head said she had withdrawn from the process because she couldn’t commit to stay in the position for the remaining two years of the president’s term. CQ HealthBeat et al.