Latest California Healthline Stories
House Sends Ban on Genetic Discrimination to Senate
The bill would prohibit insurers from denying coverage or charging higher premiums to people based on the results of genetic tests. Debate in the Senate could be delayed because of a procedural move by an Oklahoma senator. CQ Today et al.
Study: Drug Makers Provide Gifts, Pay to Most Doctors
Pharmaceutical companies treated doctors to meals, medication samples, tickets to sporting events and other gifts, drawing concerns about the firms’ influence on prescribing patterns. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette et al.
Bills Aim To Expand Medicare Eligibility To Reduce Uninsured
Legislation introduced in the House and Senate would try to boost health insurance coverage by expanding eligibility for Medicare and other insurance options currently available to federal employees. The measures face steep odds in Congress. CQ HealthBeat, CongressDaily.
Senate Committee Moves Forward on Health Care Reform Proposals
Health care overhaul plans by California’s Senate and Assembly leaders moved forward this week, suggesting to some lawmakers that health care reform is a real possibility this year. Negotiations are expected to move forward once cost estimates for the two legislative measures, as well as Gov. Schwarzenegger’s plan, are released. Ventura County Star, San Francisco Chronicle.
Aging Population Raises Need for Palliative Care
Practitioners say the medical field is a coordinated effort among doctors, nurses, psychologists and other care providers. More hospitals and health care purchasers are investing in palliative care to help control costs. USA Today.
Stanislaus County Looks To Sell Psychiatric Hospital
County supervisors said the sale is intended to avoid the loss of $5 million to $6 million annually in Medi-Cal and Medicare reimbursements resulting from a change in federal reimbursement rules. Modesto Bee.
Patient Loads Jump for Ventura County Providers
About 30,000 patients changed health plans after Kaiser Permanente took over Buenaventura Medical Group earlier this year. A local hospital and many physician practices have expanded their services to treat the surge in patients who did not stay on with the HMO. Ventura County Star.
AARP Plans California Media Campaign Pushing Health Reform
The influential group will use the effort to pressure legislators to rework the state’s health care system. AARP is not supporting a specific health care reform proposal but instead is hoping the outreach effort will raise voters’ attention to the issue. San Francisco Chronicle.
Behavioral Health Center Settles Medicare Dispute
A former employee of a consulting firm alleged that the firm had helped Loma Linda University Behavioral Medicine Center prepare false cost reports to inflate reimbursements from Medicare. The hospital admitted no wrongdoing in the case. San Bernardino County Sun et al.
Chiropractic Board Could Come Under More Oversight
The California Chiropractic Association opposes legislation in the Senate and Assembly that would cut back on the chiropractic board’s autonomy and open up the voter-approved state Chiropractic Act to amendment by the Legislature and governor. Sacramento Bee.