Latest California Healthline Stories
House Passes Bill To Require Drug Benefit Negotiations
The bill would allow insurers that sponsor Medicare drug plans to negotiate lower prices than those obtained by the government. President Bush is expected to veto the bill if the Senate approves it in its current form. New York Times et al.
Seismic Safety Rules Could Require Less Construction
The Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development is reviewing the use of software to determine some hospital buildings’ susceptibility to earthquakes. Reclassifying hospitals using the software could reduce the number of new facilities needed to comply with state seismic safety rules. San Francisco Business Times.
Complex Combines Medical Offices, Retail Shopping
Pre-leased tenants for the complex include a medical imaging office, a surgery center and national chain restaurants. The medical offices will have small waiting rooms to encourage shopping and eating. Los Angeles Times.
Bush Considers Proposal To Tax Some Employer Health Benefits
The federal government currently provides tax exemptions for all employer-sponsored health benefits, a policy that will cost an estimated $900 billion between 2006 and 2010 when combined with related provisions. Wall Street Journal.
Budget Analysis Cited in Opposition to Health Proposal
Republican lawmakers are using the Legislative Analyst’s review of Gov. Schwarzenegger’s budget proposal in their opposition to the governor’s health care reform proposal and other government expansions. Sacramento Bee, Los Angeles Times.
CMS Proposes Rule To Eliminate Medicaid Financing Agreements
The proposed rule would require health care providers, rather than state and local governments, to receive all Medicaid reimbursements to which they are entitled. CMS said the rule would save the federal government $3.9 million over five years. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Physicians Adapting to Retail Clinics
The American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics have voiced concern over retail clinics, but the president of the American Academy of Family Physicians said the clinics’ emergence points to problems accessing the health care system. Washington Post.
Planning Continues for San Francisco Health Access Plan
City officials plan to begin enrollment for the program in July. It remains unclear whether Gov. Schwarzenegger’s proposed health care reform plan would supersede the San Francisco plan.
Disparate Groups Seek Health Insurance Coverage Expansion
Service Employees International Union and the Business Roundtable will announce a campaign to reform the U.S. health care system, and other health care stakeholders also are calling for reform. Los Angeles Times, The Hill.
Bush Pledges Veto of Drug Price Negotiations Bill
The House is expected to take up a bill that would require the HHS secretary to negotiate prices with drug companies under the Medicare drug benefit. President Bush says the modification would undercut the 2003 Medicare law. New York Times et al.