Latest California Healthline Stories
Wholesale Price Increase Coincides With Drug Benefit Launch
Two organizations say studies they conducted indicate that the Medicare drug benefit is doing little to curb increases in medication costs and might be contributing to drug price inflation. AP/Arizona Daily Star et al.
New Nurse Training Programs Funded
Two new nursing programs at Cuesta College and California State University-Fresno aim to ease shortages of licensed vocational nurses and nursing instructors, respectively. San Luis Obispo Tribune/Fresno Bee.
Medicare Drug Benefit Affects Pharmacies
The Wall Street Journal examined how the Medicare drug benefit has affected retail pharmacy chains and independent pharmacies. Wall Street Journal.
U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Suit Over Medicare Provision
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a lawsuit in which five states challenge the Medicare prescription drug benefit “clawback” provision. CQ Today et al.
Democrats Drop Healthy Families Expansion
Democratic lawmakers agreed to remove a Healthy Families expansion from the proposed 2006-2007 state budget, but Republicans said they will not support the spending plan if it includes funds that could be used to provide health insurance benefits to undocumented immigrant children. San Jose Mercury News et al.
Angelides Supports Universal Coverage for Children
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides said if elected, he would provide health insurance coverage to all California children and work toward creating a universal health care system for all residents. San Jose Mercury News.
States Must Be Allowed To Experiment with Health Care
Federal legislation that would allow states to develop innovative approaches to providing health insurance for residents could provide incentives for health care reform, the Blue Shield of California CEO writes in an opinion piece. Sacramento Bee.
Bill Would Bar Physician Payment Reduction
Several House members indicated they plan to prevent a scheduled reduction in Medicare reimbursement rates for physicians in FY 2007. CongressDaily.
Nursing Home Legislation Goes to Governor
The Legislature has approved a bill that would give private-pay nursing home residents protections that currently are guaranteed only to Medicare and Medi-Cal beneficiaries. AP/Contra Costa Times.
Challenge to Abortion Ban Will Be Considered
The Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal of a San Francisco-based court’s ruling that a federal ban on “partial-birth” abortion is unconstitutional. Washington Post et al.