Latest California Healthline Stories
Philadelphia Inquirer Examines Analysts’ Views on Future of Medicare
The Philadelphia Inquirer on Sunday examined analysts’ reaction to the 2004 annual report released by Medicare trustees last week.
Health Insurance Law Opponents Misrepresent Facts, Columnist Writes
Californians Against Government Run Healthcare — the group behind a November ballot referendum to repeal a state law (SB 2) that would require some employers to provide workers health insurance or pay into a state pool — has “shaded facts about the health care law,” Los Angeles Times columnist Michael Hiltzik writes.
Democrats Press for More Probes Into Medicare Actuary’s Claims
Democrats are pressing for more inquiries into CMS chief actuary Richard Foster’s allegations that the Bush administration was aware of his analysis that the Medicare legislation would exceed its target spending goal and sought to withhold the estimates, CQ Today reports.
Defense Department Releases Report on 2001 Anthrax Attacks Two Years After Completion
Officials for the Department of Defense have released parts of an unclassified report on the October 2001 anthrax attacks that found the United States is “woefully ill-prepared to detect and respond” to bioterrorist attacks, the New York Times reports.
A state audit of the Department of Health Services found that department officials “significantly overstated” the almost $1 billion saved in the past five years from efforts to reduce Medi-Cal fraud, Auditor Elaine Howle announced on Friday, the AP/Contra Costa Times reports.
Proposals for new taxes to fund mental health and emergency department services that might appear on the Nov. 2 ballot are being promoted by advocates who are “frustrated” with state lawmakers’ actions on the issues, the Los Angeles Times reports.
San Francisco Chronicle Examines Privacy Issues Related to Outsourced Medical Records
The San Francisco Chronicle on Sunday as part of an ongoing series published a special report on the “threat to individual privacy when companies send sensitive” medical and financial records abroad.
Bush Administration Selects Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card Sponsors
The Bush administration has given approval to 28 private firms — mostly large health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers — to offer prescription drug discount cards to Medicare beneficiaries, officials announced Thursday, USA Today reports.
House Passes $2.41 Trillion FY 2005 Budget Resolution
The House on Thursday approved on a 215-212 vote a $2.41 trillion budget proposal for the 2005 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Medicare Part B Premiums Could Increase by 17% Next Year, Actuary Says
Medicare beneficiaries who participate in Part B, which covers most outpatient services, could face premium increases of 17% next year, CMS chief actuary Richard Foster said at a discussion sponsored by the American Enterprise Institute on Thursday, Cox News/St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.