Latest California Healthline Stories
El Dorado County Program Aims to Educate Small Businesses About Health Care Options
Access El Dorado, a committee established by an El Dorado County Public Health Department initiative that aims to improve health coverage in the small business community, on Monday met with health insurers to discuss the possibility of creating “customized programs” for small business owners, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Judge Blocks Rule Allowing Reduction of Retiree Health Coverage After Age 65
Judge Anita Brody of the Federal District Court in Philadelphia on Wednesday blocked a new rule that would have allowed companies to reduce or eliminate health care coverage for retirees ages 65 and older while providing such benefits to younger retirees, the New York Times reports.
Nine States Including California Sue EPA Over New Mercury Emissions Rule
Nine states on Tuesday filed a lawsuit over a new Environmental Protection Agency rule that they allege does not adequately limit mercury emissions levels from coal power plants, the New York Times reports.
Thomas Asks GAO To Collect Hospital Data on Uncompensated Care
House Ways and Means Committee Chair Bill Thomas (R-Calif.) has asked the Government Accountability Office to collect data from hospitals nationwide on uncompensated medical treatment, including charity care and bad debts, CQ HealthBeat reports.
Schwarzenegger Administration’s Use of Emergency Rules Examined
Since Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) took office, his administration has declared 79 regulatory emergencies, including some related to health care agencies or programs, the Los Angeles Times reports.
States Have Spent Most of Federal Bioterrorism Preparedness Funds, GAO Finds
U.S. states and cities have spent or allocated at least 80% of the federal bioterrorism grants that they received in 2002 and 2003, according to a Government Accountability Office report released on Wednesday, the AP/San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Lawsuit Alleges That Health Insurers Improperly Denied Coverage for Emergency Care
Some health insurers violate state law by “systematically” refusing to cover emergency treatment, and some hospitals overbill policyholders for such services, according to a class-action lawsuit filed Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, Reuters/Orange County Register reports.
California Medical Association Elects Fremont Gastroenterologist as President Beginning in 2006
Dr. Anmol Mahal, a Fremont gastroenterologist, this month was elected president of the California Medical Association at the annual CMA House of Delegates meeting in Anaheim, the Oakland Tribune reports.
Compromise on Medicaid Budget Cuts Possible, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Says
The Senate and House have a “good chance” of reaching a compromise to include some Medicaid cuts in the fiscal year 2006 budget, Robert Greenstein, executive director of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, said Wednesday, CQ HealthBeat reports.
Committee Recommends Unified Leadership for King/Drew Medical Center, Drew University
A committee this week was expected to recommend that Martin Luther King/Drew Medical Center and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science have a single CEO to help address issues at the hospital and the medical school, the Los Angeles Times reports.