Latest California Healthline Stories
Cigna Agrees To Settle Class-Action Lawsuit Filed by Doctors over Fee Bundling
Officials from Cigna Corp., one of the nation’s largest health insurers, announced yesterday that the company has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit under which doctors said the company was not forthcoming in telling them how they would be paid.
Proposed Cigarette Tax Increase ‘Outrageous,’ Contra Costa Times Says
Democrats in the Legislature should have the “political courage to reduce spending,” rather than propose an “outrageous increase” in the state’s cigarette tax, an additional $2.13 per pack, to help cover the state’s estimated $23.6 billion budget deficit, according to a Contra Costa Times editorial.
NPR’s ‘All Things Considered’ Reports on Cross-Border Health Plans
NPR’s “All Things Considered” on Wednesday reported on U.S. health insurance companies that offer “cross-border” health plans, which cover health services provided in both the United States and Mexico.
Centers for Disabled Will Continue To Receive Funds from State for Two Months Despite Budget Impasse
State Comptroller Kathleen Connell’s office said yesterday that despite the budget impasse in the Legislature, the state will be able to make payments to the not-for-profit centers that provide care for the disabled, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
More People in United States Support ‘Radical’ Health Care Reform, Harris Poll Finds
The United States has a “considerable appetite” for health care reform, and a “stronger consensus for radical reform is building” among the public, employers, providers and others in the health care industry, according to a Harris Poll released Wednesday.
U.S. Rep Urges Scully’s Ouster over Medicare Reimbursement Controversy in Iowa
In a letter to President Bush, Rep. Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa) said CMS Administrator Tom Scully should be fired for his criticism of Iowa officials’ plan to legally challenge federal Medicare reimbursement formulas, the AP/Omaha World-Herald reports.
Senate Passes Bill To Protect Privacy of Abortion Clinic Staff, Patients
The Senate yesterday voted 23-11 to approve a bill that would protect the confidentiality of abortion clinic patients and staff, the AP/Contra Costa Times reports.
Obesity Expert Says United States Must Make Societal Changes To Cut Fat
The United States must make “wholesale changes” in the environment and in society to overcome the nation’s “obesity epidemic,” according to international obesity expert Phillip James, USA Today reports in the first of a multi-part series titled “Weight Warriors.”
Senate Passes Bill To Expand Clinical Trial Participation for Incapacitated Patients
The Senate yesterday voted 24-13 to approve a bill (AB 2328) that would expand the number of individuals who can grant researchers consent to enroll an incapacitated patient in a clinical trial, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Assembly Committee Passes Legislation To Provide Paid Family Leave for Employees
The Assembly Appropriations Committee yesterday voted 13-8 to approve an amended version of a Senate-passed bill (SB 1661) that would provide employees with disability pay to allow them to care for a family member with an illness or to spend time with a newborn, the AP/Fresno Bee reports.