Latest California Healthline Stories
Specialty Drug Expenditures Increase
Spending on specialty prescription drugs increased by 17.5% in 2005, compared with 10% for traditional medications, a study finds. AP/Detroit Free Press, St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
California Healthline Highlights County Health Action
Calaveras, Riverside and Ventura counties this week have acted on issues related to health care. Stockton Record et al.
Low-Income Beneficiaries Still Can Enroll in Drug Benefit
Officials are contacting low-income Medicare beneficiaries who have not enrolled in Medicare drug plans and who would not be financially penalized for late enrollment. Sacramento Bee.
Groups Oppose Changes to Medicare Payment System
Medical device companies and others have asked CMS to delay implementation of a proposed revision to Medicare reimbursements for their products. CQ HealthBeat, Dow Jones.
Treasurer Phil Angelides, who supports legislation to create a single-payer health system, won the Democratic nomination to compete against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in November’s general election. Oakland Tribune et al.
Lawsuit Alleges Fraud, Negligence at Kaiser Transplant Program
Kaiser Permanente will face another class-action lawsuit related to its kidney transplant program in Northern California. Oakland Tribune.
County Plans Mental Health Services Expansion
Funding from a state tax will increase the Orange County Mental Health Department’s budget by 15% to expand mental health services. Orange County Register.
Dementia Might Affect Half a Million U.S. Residents Ages 55 to 64
A study by the Alzheimer’s Association calls for better diagnosis and treatment options for people ages 55 to 64. Los Angeles Times et al.
Lawsuits Filed Over Payments Related to Medical Errors
Lawsuits in California and other states seek reimbursement to Medicare from hospitals that allegedly billed Medicare improperly for treatment of conditions caused by medical errors. Los Angeles Times, Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
California To Delay Medicaid Citizenship Rule Enforcement
California officials decided to delay enforcement of a new rule that will require Medicaid enrollees and applicants to show proof of U.S. citizenship because HHS has not released federal guidelines. Los Angeles Times.