Latest California Healthline Stories
Ambulance Companies Face Medicare Payment Reductions
A new federal fee schedule for Medicare reimbursement of ambulance services could reduce payments by 23%, or $110 million, for California’s 280 ambulance companies, the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal reports.
USPS Applies for Medicare Subsidy To Fund Prescription Drug Benefits
The U.S. Postal Service has applied to the Medicare program for a retiree prescription drug benefit subsidy, an incentive under the 2003 Medicare law that offers payments to public and private employers who continue to provide drug coverage to Medicare-eligible employees and retirees after the Medicare prescription drug benefit takes effect in 2006, the Washington Post reports.
Voters Reject Prescription Drug Measures on Special Election Ballot
California voters on Tuesday rejected Propositions 78 and 79 — the dueling prescription drug measures on the special election ballot — the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
AMA Opposes New Medicare Quality Data Reporting Program
The American Medical Association on Thursday sent a letter to CMS Administrator Mark McClellan that raised opposition to a Medicare quality data reporting program announced late last month, The Hill reports.
AMA Asks Congress To Block Medicare Physician Reimbursement Reduction
American Medical Association President J. Edward Hill on Monday at an AMA House of Delegates meeting in Dallas said that Congress should block a 4.4% reduction in Medicare reimbursements for physicians that is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2006, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
CMS Launches Online Medicare Drug Benefit Comparison Tool
CMS on Monday launched its “long-promised Internet tool” that allows beneficiaries to compare prescription drug plans available under the new Medicare drug benefit, the Wall Street Journal reports.
About 7% of U.S. Teens Have Prediabetic Condition, Study Finds
About two million U.S. residents ages 12 to 19 have impaired fasting glucose, or high blood sugar levels after several hours without food, according to a study published on Monday in Pediatrics, the AP/Boston Globe reports.
San Francisco Meth Task Force To Make Recommendations
San Francisco’s Crystal Methamphetamine Task Force on Wednesday plans to recommend the expansion of prevention, treatment and law-enforcement programs for methamphetamine users in the city, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
San Jose Must Increase Contributions to Health Trust to Avoid Unfunded Liabilities
San Jose likely will increase projected health care costs for city retirees and contributions to a health benefits trust to comply with new national accounting rules, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
More Federal Research Funding Going Toward Biodefense
Relatively flat federal budgets for scientific research in recent years and an increased emphasis on defense-related research could “lead to fewer medical and scientific advances and ultimately to severe impact on the economy,” according to experts, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.