Latest California Healthline Stories
Regulators Investigate Blue Cross Premium Increases After WellPoint-Anthem Merger
California regulators on Monday said that they are investigating whether premium increases for some Blue Cross of California health plans were related to the WellPoint Health Networks-Anthem merger in November 2004, which would represent a violation of the conditions under which California regulators approved the merger, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Senate Committee Could Vote This Week on Prescription Access Measure
The Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee as early as this week might vote on a bill (SB 644) that would require pharmacists who refuse to dispense medication — including emergency contraception — on ethical, moral or religious grounds to refer consumers to another pharmacy to fill the prescription, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Boxer Bill Would Require Pharmacies To Fill All Prescriptions
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) has introduced federal legislation that would require pharmacies to fill all prescriptions, including those for contraceptives, or refer customers to another pharmacy that will fill the prescription in question, regardless of a pharmacist’s religious or ethical beliefs, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
House Continues Negotiations on Medicaid Spending Cuts
Congressional discussions on proposed budget cuts to Medicaid have become “increasingly tense” in the House as some Republicans want to use “fast-track budget reconciliation rules to enact substantial savings,” a move that some political moderates oppose, CQ HealthBeat reports.
Los Angeles Community College District Nursing Programs Have 23% Attrition Rate
Almost one-fourth of students enrolled in Los Angeles Community College District nursing programs left the programs during the 2003-2004 academic year, an attrition rate 35% higher than the state average, the Long Beach Press-Telegram reports.
Los Angeles Times Profiles CNA Executive Director
The Los Angeles Times on Monday profiled Rose Ann DeMoro, executive director of the California Nurses Association.
Health Affairs Examines Potential Effects of Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit
The journal Health Affairs on Tuesday published on its Web site three articles that analyze the Medicare prescription drug benefit, which is scheduled to take effect in 2006.
Budget Reconciliation Process Could Bring Changes to Medicare
The reconciliation process for the fiscal year 2006 federal budget could result in “numerous changes” to Medicare, according to a House Republican aide, who on Monday was speaking on background at a meeting sponsored by the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, CQ Today reports.
Proposed Legislation Seeks To Eliminate Confidentiality Clauses in Some Lawsuits
Assembly members on Tuesday are scheduled to discuss a bill (AB 446) that would prevent state health care providers and other licensed professionals from using clauses in legal settlements to prevent plaintiffs from reporting the action to state regulators, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Merck To Launch New Prescription Drug Discount Card for the Uninsured
Merck officials on Tuesday announced that the company on April 25 will launch a new prescription drug discount card for all uninsured U.S. residents, the AP/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.