Latest California Healthline Stories
UnitedHealthcare Contracts Rejected
Doctors are rejecting PPO contracts with UnitedHealthcare, saying reduced reimbursement rates are inadequate. San Jose Mercury News.
Working Group Recommends Universal Health Coverage
The Citizens’ Health Care Working Group recommended that the federal government develop a unviersal health care system with funding coming from sources such as enrollee contributions, income taxes, “sin taxes” and payroll taxes. AP/Seattle Times, Los Angeles Times.
Final Drug Benefit Enrollment Data Released
About 11.5 million Medicare beneficiaries voluntarily enrolled in the Medicare prescription drug benefit before the May 15 deadline, HHS says. AP/Detroit Free Press et al.
Medicaid Changes Could Leave Many Uninsured
Health care advocates say a law that requires Medicaid beneficiaries to prove U.S. citizenship could leave some residents who are eligible for the programs uninsured. San Francisco Chronicle.
County Sales Tax Increase Defeated
Santa Clara County voters rejected a proposal to increase the county sales tax rate, a measure that supporters said would have provided additional funds for health care and social service programs. San Jose Mercury News.
Oregon Tobacco Tax Measure Ends Campaign
Staffing problems at firms hired to gather signatures for a measure to increase the state tobacco tax to expand health insurance coverage led supporters to stop efforts to qualify the measure for the November ballot. Salem Statesman-Journal.