Latest California Healthline Stories
County Considers Options To Repay Medi-Cal
The county received overpayments for Medi-Cal claims submitted in 2003 through 2004 and already has returned $10 million in overpayments since 1999 through 2000. Fresno Bee.
Physician Groups Offered Limited Support on Reimbursement Bill
Only four physician groups issued letters of support for legislation Congress approved last week to maintain the current level of Medicare physician reimbursements. The Hill.
San Diego County First To Reduce Retiree Benefits
A county supervisor said that cutting contributions to retiree health care benefits was necessary to avoid future problems, such as poor credit ratings and service cuts for taxpayers as officials evaluate the long-term cost of such obligations. Sacramento Bee.
Legislation Proposed To Expand Health Coverage Nationwide
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) announces plans to introduce legislation that would require individuals to use funds contributed by employers to purchase private health insurance through state purchasing pools. Los Angeles Times et al.
Nursing Program Operates Despite Accreditation Loss
The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission informed Grossmont College that it must hire more faculty members if it intends to maintain its accreditation. The state Board of Registered Nursing has continued its approval of the program. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Editorial: Perata Health Reform Proposal Flawed
The San Diego Union-Tribune editorial board voices skepticism about provisions of a plan Senate President Pro Tempore Perata introduced this week and lists some of its “most obvious problems.” San Diego Union-Tribune.
Kaiser Sanctioned for Kidney Transplant Program
Kaiser was sanctioned several months after announcing that it would close its kidney program. Several investigations alleged program mismanagement that compromised patient care. Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle.
Shift To Medi-Cal HMO in the Works
Under the new system in Sonoma County, the state would pay medical providers monthly per capita rates instead of reimbursements per service. Santa Rosa Press-Democrat.
Many People Unaware of Costs of Extended Care
More than half of survey respondents said they felt financially prepared if they ever needed extended care, and almost one-third believed they had purchased long-term care insurance through work or a private policy. However, most respondents underestimated the cost of such care. St. Petersburg Times.
Asthma Death Rates Declining Nationally
Overall asthma death rates have declined since 1999 for children of all races, according to a CDC study. Asthma mortality rates had increased steadily from 1980 through 1998. Atlanta Journal-Constitution.