Latest California Healthline Stories
Schwarzenegger Overhaul Plan Could Include Provisions for Health and Human Services Agency
A plan supported by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) to restructure the state government could recommend consolidating entities in the Health and Human Services Agency and “attacking Medi-Cal fraud,” the Los Angeles Times reports.
Newspapers Examine Political Response to Issue of the Uninsured
Two newspapers on Thursday examined various proposals to expand coverage to the uninsured and the potential political implications of such plans.
A May 3, 2004, California Healthline story on efforts by state legislators to “crack down” on residents who are shifting assets to qualify for state-funded nursing home care incorrectly summarized a portion of a report from the Sacramento Bee. In an article published May 1, the Bee reported: “Attorney Jim Banks, who represents [James] Walker, said the search warrant allegations alleging Medi-Cal fraud in the handling of assets were ‘hyperbole in the extreme.'” The May 3 CHL article misidentified a different statement from the May 1 Bee report as a direct quote from Mr. Banks. Mr. Banks’ office has informed CHL that Mr. Walker denies engaging in any illegal act and that Mr. Banks did not make the statement attributed to him.
San Francisco Chronicle Examines Implications of CalPERS, Sutter Health Dispute
The San Francisco Chronicle on Thursday examined the ongoing dispute between Sutter Health and CalPERS and the larger implications that the conflict could have on the health care industry and employers.
House Members Ask FDA To Reconsider Rejection of Over-the-Counter Plan B
Forty-one House members on Friday sent a letter to acting FDA Commissioner Lester Crawford urging the agency to “quickly rethink” its decision to reject Barr Laboratories’ application for over-the-counter status for its emergency contraceptive Plan B, Reuters reports.
Recommendations on NIH Conflicts of Interest Inadequate, Lawmakers Say at House Subcommittee Hearing
A report released last week by the NIH Blue Ribbon Committee on Conflict of Interest Policies “fell short of what was needed” to reform agency policies on the amount and form of compensation that high-level employees can receive from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, lawmakers said on Wednesday at a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Group Says Recently Enacted Law Could Reduce Workers’ Compensation Insurance Premium Rates by 13.9%
The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau on Tuesday released its analysis of the recent law (SB 899) to reform the state workers’ compensation insurance system, saying that the law could reduce short-term workers’ compensation costs by 13.9%, saving employers about $3 billion over a 12-month period, the Los Angeles Times reports.
CalPERS Delays Vote on Dropping 38 Hospitals From HMO Network
The CalPERS board on Tuesday voted to delay until at least next week a vote on whether to eliminate 38 hospitals from its HMO network because of questions about disruption of service to members, the Sacramento Bee reports.
State, County Children’s Commissions Announce Effort To Expand Children’s Health Coverage
State and county children’s commissions on Wednesday are scheduled to announce a new $46.5 million program funded by cigarette taxes that would extend health insurance to children ages five and younger whose families have annual incomes of up to 300% of the federal poverty level, regardless of their immigration status, the Sacramento Bee reports.
United States Signs World Health Organization Tobacco Control Treaty
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson on Monday signed the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the Washington Post reports.