Latest California Healthline Stories
NCQA Report Measures Quality of Health Plans; U.S. News & World Report Ranks Health Insurers
The quality of care for people belonging to HMOs is improving, but enrollment in the plans is continuing to decrease, according to a report released Monday by the National Committee for Quality Assurance, CQ HealthBeat reports.
California Healthline Highlights Recent Health-Related County Action
Officials in Fresno, Los Angeles, Marin and San Francisco counties recently acted on health care-related issues.
Indian Health Service Facilities Do Not Provide Adequate Access to Care, GAO Report Finds
Many government-funded Indian Health Service facilities do not provide American Indians adequate access to health care, according to a report recently released by the Government Accountability Office, the AP/St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Six Large Companies Offer Part-Time Employees Health Insurance Through New Program
Six large companies have begun to enroll part-time workers in a new national program that offers low-cost, limited health benefits, the New York Times reports.
Sacramento Nursing Homes Have More Quality Violations Than Other California Cities
Nursing homes in Sacramento did not meet federal and state standards of care more often than facilities in the rest of the state’s 10 largest cities, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Factors Contributing to Increasing Health Care Costs Examined
The San Jose Mercury News on Sunday examined factors contributing to rising health care costs.
Senators Raise Concerns Over Administration Vetting Process After Resignation of FDA Commissioner
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee leaders have raised concerns about the vetting process used by the Bush administration after the “abrupt and mysterious” resignation of Lester Crawford as FDA commissioner on Sept. 23, The Hill reports.
DOJ Investigating Sutter Health Contracting Practices
The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating of Sutter Health’s contracting practices, the company disclosed in a document filed in connection with a recent bond offering, the Sacramento Bee reports.
State Fines Disability Insurer $8M, Says Company Must Reopen Cases
The Department of Insurance on Monday will announce that it will fine UnumProvident Corporation, the nation’s largest disability insurer, $8 million for more than 25 alleged violations of state law, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Schwarzenegger Signs Bill Providing IMPACT Funding, Other Health-Related Measures
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Friday signed a bill (SB 650) by Sen. Deborah Ortiz (D-Sacramento) that will provide $2.4 million in funding for the current fiscal year to the Improving Access, Counseling and Treatment for Californians with Prostate Cancer Program for low-income residents, the Sacramento Bee reports.