Latest California Healthline Stories
House Passes Bill that Would Allow Tax Deductions for Long-Term Care Insurance Premiums
The House yesterday passed a bill that would allow middle-income people to take a tax deduction for the cost of their long-term care insurance premiums.
Health Net Announces 22% Increase in Second-Quarter Net Income
Woodland Hills-based Health Net Inc. yesterday announced a 22% increase in second-quarter net income after the health insurer dropped several unprofitable plans, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Sen. Daschle Vows To Pass Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Bill Before Recess
Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) yesterday “reiterated his vow” to continue debate on a Medicare prescription drug benefit until a consensus emerges, CongressDaily reports.
Riverside-Based Parkview Community Hospital Reopens Emergency Room After Two-Month Closure
The emergency room at Parkview Community Hospital in Riverside yesterday reopened after the hospital voluntarily closed the unit in May, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reports.
Coalition Launches Ad Campaign Calling for FDA Regulation of Tobacco Products
A coalition of public health groups, including the American Medical Association, the American Cancer Society and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Tuesday launched an advertising campaign asking Congress to grant the FDA the authority to regulate tobacco, Reuters News reports.
President Bush today is expected to announce a plan to limit medical malpractice awards in lawsuits against doctors and insurance companies, the Washington Post reports.
National Council of La Raza Conference Addresses Racial Health Disparities
Health care advocates this week addressed health disparities between Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites at the annual conference of the National Council of La Raza in Miami, the AP/South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.
About 1,000 Delta Dental Plan clerical employees in Northern California plan to vote Monday on a tentative contract agreement, but a strike that began last Friday will continue over the weekend, the Sacramento Bee reports.
WellPoint Announces 71% Increase in Second-Quarter Profit
Thousand Oaks-based WellPoint Health Networks Inc., the largest publicly traded Blue Cross Blue Shield health plan in the nation, yesterday announced a 71% increase in second-quarter profit, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Increased Cost of Employee Health Coverage Impacts State’s Midsized Companies the Most, Survey Finds
Increased health insurance costs have “hurt the state’s midsized companies hardest because they lack the power” of larger companies to negotiate reduced rates from insurers or the ability of small businesses to eliminate health benefits, according to a new industry survey, the Los Angeles Daily News reports.