Latest California Healthline Stories
Democrats Oppose Medicaid Recommendations
A commission appointed by HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt called for enrolling the sickest Medicaid beneficiaries in managed care plans and giving states more freedom to alter benefits and eligibility. New York Times.
Bills Would Increase Incentives for Health Care Reform
Each of three bills would encourage states to propose health care reform plans. A commission or task force would recommend the best ideas for fast-track approval by Congress. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
Democrats Divided Over Drug Price Negotiations
House staffers have said that Democrats do not have a firm plan for reforming the program and have predicted that hearings will be held to consider different options. Options under consideration include repealing the ban on negotiating drug prices and creating a separate, government-run Medicare drug program with strong negotiating power. Washington Post et al.
Physicians Face Wait Times for Medi-Cal Enrollment
California’s ratio of participating health care providers to Medicaid beneficiaries is below the national standard, although the Department of Health Services is making progress in reducing wait times and addressing a backlog of physician applications to participate in the program. Sacramento Bee.
County Proposes To Cover Uninsured Employees
The “Three Share Model” plan would generate revenue from small businesses by charging a $125 monthly fee per employee. The county in 2006 spent $184 million providing care to uninsured patients. San Jose Mercury News.
Workers’ Compensation Rules Under Consideration
Proposed rules are intended to prevent unfair delays or denials of medical treatment for workers’ compensation claimants. The Division of Workers’ Compensation could issue final versions of the rules in 2007. Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal.
Insurance Rates Will Increase for Entertainment Groups
Some consumer advocates say proposed rate increases that exceed 80% on average could have other implications for California employers after recent mergers and acquisitions reduced the number of insurers in the state. Los Angeles Times.
Medicaid Spending Down for First Time
Savings resulted from many small cost-containment policies adopted by states in recent years, including shifting elderly beneficiaries from nursing homes into less-costly home health care and refining the management of high-cost beneficiaries, such as those with serious chronic diseases. The spending decrease is the first in the program’s history. USA Today.
Small Businesses Face Decisions as PacAdvantage Closes
Employers are selecting among health plans offered by Kaiser Permanente, Health Net, Western Health Advantage and some other insurers. East Bay Business Times.
Governor Aims To Expand Health Coverage
Gov. Schwarzenegger on Sunday said he would work to expand coverage to every uninsured California resident while reducing health care costs and refusing to raise taxes. Work on the governor’s health care reform proposals is ongoing. San Francisco Chronicle et al.