Latest California Healthline Stories
Proposed Employer Insurance Mandate Top Issue in San Francisco in 2006
A proposal that would require San Francisco businesses with 20 or more employees to provide health benefits to workers likely will be “the front-burner issue” in 2006, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Down Syndrome More Prevalent in U.S. Than Previously Thought
Down syndrome is more common in the U.S. than health officials previously thought, according to updated data on prevalence rates of 18 types of birth defects published on Thursday in the CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the AP/Long Island Newsday reports.
CMS Continues Efforts To Address Medicare Drug Benefit Delays
CMS has added staff members to call centers and continues to update a database that provides coverage information for beneficiaries to help address problems with the distribution of medications under the new prescription drug benefit, which began on Monday, Larry Kocot, an adviser to agency Administrator Mark McClellan, said on Thursday, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports.
Grassley Questions QIO Resort Conferences for Medicare Officials
CMS officials responsible for awarding $300 million in contracts to Medicare Quality Improvement Organizations regularly attended conferences sponsored by the groups at “luxurious” beach and mountain resorts, according to a review conducted by the Senate Finance Committee as part of an ongoing investigation into the practices and oversight of QIOs, the Washington Post reports.
AFL-CIO To Lobby for Employer Health Insurance Laws in 31 States
AFL-CIO on Thursday announced an effort to pursue legislation in 31 states that would require large corporations to spend a percentage of their payroll on employee health insurance, Bloomberg/South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Thursday in his State of the State address unveiled a $222.6 billion public-works spending plan, including some funding for health-related programs, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Health Net Agrees To Acquire Universal Care’s Health Plan Assets
Woodland Hills-based Health Net on Thursday agreed to acquire the health plan assets of Universal Care, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Orange County Launches New HMO for Dual Eligibles
CalOPTIMA, which administers Medi-Cal benefits in Orange County, on Sunday launched a new HMO plan called OneCare for residents dually eligible for Medicare and Medi-Cal, the Orange County Register reports.
U.S. To Release Family Preparedness Guide for Avian Flu
HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt on Friday is expected to release an avian flu preparedness guide for U.S. families that includes suggestions on how to stockpile supplies, educate children at home and volunteer with local emergency response teams, the AP/Long Island Newsday reports.
Software Application Facilitates Medicaid Enrollment
The California HealthCare Foundation has developed software to facilitate Medicaid enrollment in counties and states across the country, United Press International reports.