Latest California Healthline Stories
UnitedHealth Group, PacifiCare Health Systems CEOs Defend Planned Merger
The CEOs of UnitedHealth Group and PacifiCare Health Systems on Friday said that a merger of the companies would increase competition among health insurers and improve service to employers, the Los Angeles Times reports.
AP/Long Island Newsday Examines Movement Toward Universal Health Coverage Systems in Some States
The AP/Long Island Newsday on Sunday examined how a movement toward universal health care coverage is “being rekindled in some states,” amid increasing health care costs and “the lack of political support in Washington for federal changes.”
Proposition 63 Yields $750M for Mental Health Services
The Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission on Thursday began working to determine how to allocate an additional $750 million in annual funds that resulted from the passage of Proposition 63, the Sacramento Bee reports.
UnitedHealth Group Plan To Acquire PacifiCare Health Systems Might Face Problems in California
The planned acquisition of PacifiCare Health Systems by UnitedHealth Group likely will “draw close scrutiny in California,” where some have raised concerns that the agreement will not benefit consumers, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Proposed San Francisco City Charter Amendment Clears Committee
A San Francisco Board of Supervisors committee on Thursday approved a proposal for an amendment to the city charter that would establish an emergency health care services fund, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
An unnamed Senate Finance Committee Republican aide on Thursday said a Families USA report inappropriately blames the 2003 Medicare law for reductions in Medicaid coverage for dual eligibles in some states, CQ HealthBeat reports.
Health Care Costs Affect Medical Decisions of Women, Survey Finds
Twenty-seven percent of women under age 65 and 67% of uninsured women delayed or went without needed medical care in the last year because they did not think they could afford it, according to a new survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
DHS Warns Consumers of High Lead Levels in Two Imported Mexican Candies
The Department of Health Services on Wednesday issued a warning that two candy products imported from Mexico might contain high levels of lead that could cause “serious health problems,” the Orange County Register reports.
California Healthline Highlights Recent Hospital News
Brief reports on California hospital news: Alameda County Medical Center reports budget surplus; Sharp Healthcare terminates contract with Blue Cross of California
Legislature Approves Budget; Implications for Health Care Unclear
The Legislature on Thursday approved a $117.5 billion fiscal year 2005-2006 state budget that leaves state health leaders “with a lot of questions,” the Fresno Bee reports.