Latest California Healthline Stories
New Medi-Cal Funding Agreement Could Affect Hospital Budgets
About 150 hospitals that provide the majority of inpatient care for low-income and uninsured state residents might face budget shortages under a proposed Medi-Cal agreement with the federal government, the Palm Springs Desert Sun reports.
Washington Post Publishes Three-Part Series on Quality of Care in Medicare
The Washington Post this week is publishing a three-part series on quality of care in Medicare.
Six Anti-Smoking Groups May Join DOJ Lawsuit Against Tobacco Companies, Judge Rules
U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler on Friday granted a request by six anti-smoking groups to join the Department of Justice’s civil racketeering lawsuit against several major tobacco companies, the AP/Richmond Times-Dispatch reports.
President Bush Promotes New Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit in Atlanta
President Bush on Friday at an invitation-only event in Atlanta praised the new Medicare prescription drug benefit as a “good deal” that will reduce costs for beneficiaries, the AP/Seattle Times reports.
State Might Reconsider Coded HIV Reporting System
Some state officials and advocacy groups expect to revisit legislation that would require California to modify its HIV reporting system to use names rather than alphanumeric codes, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Senate Hearing Addresses Bush Administration Proposals for Restrictions on Medicaid Asset Transfers
Bush administration proposals to tighten restrictions for elderly patients who shift assets to family members to gain eligibility for Medicaid-funded nursing home care could reduce state and federal spending but also could have unintended negative effects, according to testimony at a Wednesday hearing of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, CQ HealthBeat reports.
New York Times Examines Low Popularity of Long-Term Care Insurance in U.S.
The New York Times on Sunday examined the low popularity of long-term care insurance in the U.S.
Group Recommends 5.2% Decrease in Workers’ Compensation Premiums
The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau on Thursday recommended that workers’ compensation insurers decrease premiums by 5.2% for policies written or renewed after Jan. 1, 2006, the Sacramento Bee reports.
University of California Approves Fee Increases for Professional Schools Totaling 10% Annually
The University of California Board of Regents on Thursday approved a set of fee increases that will raise costs for students in some professional schools — including medicine, pharmacy and dentistry — by 7% to 10% annually, the Los Angeles Times reports.
California Healthline Highlights Recent Hospital News
Report recommends changes to Laguna Honda Hospital rebuilding plan; sale of Hayward facility approved