Latest California Healthline Stories
California Healthline Highlights Recent Hospital News
Negotiations continue to maintain services at San Pablo facility; Blue Shield of California restores relationship with two UCLA hospitals
Drug Discount Program Expansion Announced
Target officials said that its pharmacies will match prices for generic medications offered by Wal-Mart pharmacies in the states where both chains have stores and the program is available. AP/USA Today et al.
County Sees Record Child Insurance Rates
Los Angeles County children are insured in record numbers, despite an increase in poverty among households with children. Los Angeles Times.
Democrats Preparing Health Care Agenda
California representatives are discussing plans for legislation to allow Medicare to negotiate drug discounts with pharmaceutical firms and modify the Medicare drug benefit if Democrats win control of the House. New York Times.
Some Medicare Beneficiaries Must Apply for Subsidy
Contrary to previous reports, the beneficiaries will not lose Medicare prescription drug coverage and will not have to apply on their own for Medicare drug plans, unless they wish to change plans. Washington Post et al.
Employer-Sponsored Coverage Declines
The percentage of U.S. workers covered by employer-sponsored insurance declined from 2001 through 2005 despite an upturn in the economy, according to two issue papers. CQ HealthBeat et al.
Judge Approves Raises for Prison Medical Staff
The raises are at the discretion of a court-appointed receiver overseeing the prison health care system and bypass state lawmakers’ authorization. Contra Costa Times and Sacramento Bee.
State Orders Kaiser To Reinstate Policyholder
The order signals the first time that an insurer has reinstated coverage and the second time ever that the state has sided with the policyholder in a cancellation case. The first such occurrence took place earlier this month. Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle.