Latest California Healthline Stories
House To Vote on Drug Price Negotiations Bill
The bill would require the HHS secretary to report to Congress on the progress of the negotiations every six months. Action on mental health parity legislation also is possible during the 110th Congress, some lobbyists said. Miami Herald et al.
Insurers Decline Coverage for Cognitive Rehabilitation
Preliminary studies indicate the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation, but research into the treatment remains limited because of a lack of funding by pharmaceutical companies. Wall Street Journal.
Rural Areas Face Challenges Recruiting Physicians
Lower Medi-Cal and Medicare reimbursement rates are among the obstacles to recruiting physicians in rural areas. Further complicating the situation, rural hospitals in Fresno, Kern and Tulare counties have closed in the past five years. Los Angeles Times.
Insurers Deny Coverage Based on Occupation, Medication Use
Four insurers in California deny or limit coverage on the basis of prescription drug use, and three of the four deny individual coverage based on occupation. California law permits such practices. Los Angeles Times.
Cost Estimates for Drug Benefit Lowered
HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said the lower estimate demonstrates that it is not necessary for Congress to pass legislation that would require the agency to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies under the drug benefit to lower prices. New York Times.
States Examining Ways To Expand Health Coverage
Governors and state legislators have made health care reform a priority for upcoming legislative sessions, but the issue has ranked lower for Congress. USA Today.
High real estate costs and salaries for medical personnel have slowed the spread of retail clinics in California, some experts said. At least two firms currently operate retail clinics in the state. San Jose Mercury News, Fresno Bee.
County Retirement Board Delays Decision on Health Benefits
San Diego County will stop contributing to the county health care fund — possibly compromising health care benefits for all retirees — if the county retirement board denies the county Board of Supervisors’ request to modify benefits packages. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Children Often Care for Parents With Disabilities
As many as 1.3 million to 1.4 million children in the U.S. ages eight to 18 provide care for a family member with a chronic illness or disability, and more than 400,000 child caregivers are younger than age 12. Wall Street Journal.