Latest California Healthline Stories
Senate Confirms Hoch as Director of Division of Workers’ Compensation
The Senate on Thursday confirmed Andrea Hoch as director of the Division of Workers’ Compensation on a 21-10 vote, the AP/San Diego Union-Tribune reports (Lawrence, AP/San Diego Union-Tribune, 4/29).
Congress Approves Budget Resolution With $10 Billion in Medicaid Cuts
Congress on Thursday approved a $10 billion reduction in Medicaid funding over five years as part of a $2.6 trillion fiscal year 2006 budget resolution, the Washington Times reports.
Senate Committee Approves Legislation Addressing Use of Chips in Identification Documents
The Senate Judiciary Committee this week voted to approve a bill (SB 682) that would limit the use of radio frequency identification chips in state-issued personal-identification documents, including health insurance or benefits cards, CNET News/New York Times reports.
House Panel Hears Concerns About EEOC Rule on Retiree Health Benefits
A recent federal court decision that employers must provide the same health benefits to all retirees “could jeopardize retiree health care benefits,” witnesses testified on Thursday before the House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations, CQ HealthBeat reports.
McClellan Advocates for Cap on Medical Malpractice Damages in Lawsuits
Medical malpractice lawsuits have contributed to increased health care costs, and Congress should pass legislation to cap damages in such lawsuits to help address the issue, CMS Administrator Mark McClellan testified on Thursday at a Joint Economic Committee hearing, CQ HealthBeat reports.
State Will Receive More Funding To Address West Nile Virus
The state will receive $2.16 million in additional federal funds to address West Nile virus, Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Kim Belshe said Thursday, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Nation, Richman Plan To Introduce Modified Version of Individual Coverage Bill Next Year
Assembly members Joe Nation (D-San Rafael) and Keith Stuart Richman (R-Granada Hills) next year plan to introduce a modified version of a bill (AB 1670) that would have required all California residents to maintain health insurance coverage, according to Jim DeBoo, Nation’s chief of staff, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports.
Senate Panel Raises Concerns About Bioterrorism Preparedness
Members of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security on Thursday raised concerns about U.S. preparedness for a bioterrorist attack, CongressDaily reports.
More Insured Workers Unable To Pay Medical Bills, USA Today Reports
USA Today on Friday examined how a greater number of U.S. workers with health insurance are accruing larger medical bills — some to the point of bankruptcy — in part because some employers are shifting a greater share of health care costs to workers.
PacifiCare Reports 28% Increase in Net Income for First Quarter
Cypress-based PacifiCare Health Systems on Thursday reported that first-quarter net income increased by 28% from $67 million, or 71 cents per share, in the year-earlier period to $85.7 million, or 89 cents per share, this year, the Los Angeles Times reports.