Latest California Healthline Stories
Judge Rejects City’s Phone Fee for 911 Services
Union City cannot impose a special charge on telephones to fund emergency services without voter approval, a judge ruled. City officials said they will appeal the decision. Oakland Tribune.
Seniors’ Views Mixed on Medicare Drug Benefit
About 30% of seniors have a favorable view of the Medicare drug benefit, while 46% have an unfavorable view, a new survey finds. CQ HealthBeat et al.
CMS Calls for Increased Competitive Bidding
CMS proposed a rule change to launch a competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment in 2007. CQ HealthBeat.
Health Mandate Bill Passes Assembly Committee
The Assembly Health Committee approved legislation that would require individuals to maintain health insurance coverage and businesses that do not offer health plans to pay into a benefits fund. AP/San Diego Union-Tribune.
Blue Cross Employees Address Policy Cancellations
In depositions last summer, four Blue Cross of California employees testified that they review and cancel policies based on application misstatements and omissions without considering whether wrong information might have been inadvertent. Los Angeles Times.
State Not Providing Nursing Home Data Online
The Department of Health Services has not complied with a 1999 state law that requires it to publicly provide nursing home inspection information on the Internet. Los Angeles Times.
FBI Requests Five UCI Doctors’ Records
A federal investigation of the liver transplant program at the University of California-Irvine Medical Center will examine doctors’ compensation and billing practices. Los Angeles Times.
Blacks Have Greater Distrust of U.S. Health Care System
A study in the Archives of Internal Medicine finds that blacks are less likely than whites to trust health care providers. Washington Post, Reuters/Boston Globe.
Rejection of TRICARE Fee Increases Expected
A House subcommittee likely will reject a Department of Defense proposal to increase TRICARE fees for some military retirees. CQ Today et al.
Senator Urges Consideration of Bills on FDA Oversight
Senate Finance Committee Chair Chuck Grassley urges lawmakers to consider bills about FDA’s postmarket regulation of approved drugs. CongressDaily et al.