Latest California Healthline Stories
Bill Would Expand 1996 Mental Health Parity Measure
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee is expected to vote today on a “new, expanded version” of the 1996 mental health parity law, set to expire this fall, that will expand the measure to include doctors’ visits and hospital stays, the AP/New York Times reports.
PacifiCare Second Quarter Profits Drop 78%, Answers Bankruptcy Queries
PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. yesterday announced second quarter net income of $15.3 million, a 78% decline from net income of $69.2 million during the same quarter last year, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation to Stop Accepting New Patients
Citing a shortage of doctors, a “troubling backlog” of current patients and an “unexpected influx” of new patients, the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, one of the Bay area’s “leading” medical groups, announced yesterday that for an “indefinite period,” it will stop accepting new patients who need “basic care,” the San Jose Mercury News reports.
California Hires Covansys to Teach HIPAA Compliance to Public Employees
California has contracted with technology services provider Covansys to provide “comprehensive training” on HIPAA regulation and compliance for state, county and municipal government employees.
Maxicare to Eliminate Medicare+Choice Plan in Los Angeles and Orange Counties
Maxicare Health Plans Inc. will eliminate its Medicare+Choice coverage in Los Angeles and Orange counties, effective Aug. 31, the Los Angeles Times reports.
A Third of Nursing Homes Had Abuse Violations in 1999-2001
More than 30% of 5,283 nursing homes investigated by states over a two-year period ending in January were cited for abuse, according to a congressional review requested by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), the Los Angeles Times reports.
Santa Rosa Pediatrics Medical Group Drops HMO Patients Over Low Reimbursement Rates
Citing low reimbursement rates and increasing costs, the Santa Rosa Pediatrics Medical Group will stop accepting patients covered by HMOs, the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat reports.
Southeast Medical Center Expansion Seeks to Bring Services to ‘Medically Underserved’
San Diego-based Southeast Medical Center, California’s first medical center owned and operated by black physicians, will begin an expansion project today designed to provide greater health care services to the medically underserved, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Senators Seek Return of Medicaid Family Planning Waivers
Twenty-two senators have sent a letter to HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson asking the Bush administration to reverse its decision to reject all pending state requests for waivers to expand contraceptive coverage and other family planning services through Medicaid, the New York Times reports.
Human Cloning Debate Could Impact Stem Cell Research
The House today is expected to begin discussing two competing bills that seek to ban human cloning and could have important ramifications for embryonic stem cell research, the New York Times reports.