Latest California Healthline Stories
Community Medical Center Passes CMS Inspection, No Longer at Risk of Losing Certification
Community Medical Center-Fresno passed its most recent inspection and no longer faces a revocation of Medicare certification, CMS announced last week, the Fresno Bee reports.
Newspapers Print Recommendations for Special Election Ballot Measures
Seven California newspapers recently published summaries of their endorsements for Tuesday’s special election ballot, including for the three health-related measures. Summaries appear below.
Groups Propose Tobacco Tax Increase for Health Funding
The California Hospital Association along with a coalition of health associations and children’s advocacy groups are organizing separate campaigns to increase the state tobacco tax to fund health care programs, the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal reports.
Some Insurers Use Increased Funding To Expand Benefits Under Medicare Advantage Plans
Companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans — “all in one” insurance plans offered by private companies for Medicare beneficiaries and paid for by the government — are boosting benefits and reducing premiums for enrollees because of increased government funding, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Los Angeles County Officials Investigate Hepatitis A Outbreak Among Homeless
Los Angeles County health officials are investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A among the county’s homeless population, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Washington Post Examines Cross-Border Health Plans
More than 20,000 California employees and their dependents are enrolled in lower-cost health plans that send members to Mexico for nonemergency care, the Washington Post reports.
Church Campaigns Address Parental Notification Measure
The Los Angeles Times on Monday examined efforts by supporters and opponents of Proposition 73 to promote their campaigns in “a place not routinely associated with California politics — their neighborhood church.”
San Francisco Chronicle Examines Willie Brown’s Work on Yes on 78 Campaign
Lawyer, television pundit and former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown (D) has been paid $450,000 by the pharmaceutical industry for work including strategy development for the Yes on 78-No on 79 campaign, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Wal-Mart Stores Increase Medicaid Expenditures, Study Finds
Wal-Mart increases Medicaid expenditures by an average of $898 per employee, according to a study presented on Friday at a conference held by the company to examine the impact of Wal-Mart on the U.S. economy, the New York Times reports.
CMS Withdraws Proposal To Increase Physician Reimbursements in Sonoma, Santa Cruz Counties
CMS on Wednesday withdrew a proposal to increase Medicare reimbursements to doctors in Sonoma and Santa Cruz counties, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports.