Latest California Healthline Stories
Johnson, Stark Send Reform Proposals to HCFA
House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chair Nancy Johnson (R-Conn.) and ranking member Pete Stark (D-Calif.) yesterday jointly submitted to HCFA a 17-page list of Medicare reforms that the agency could make without “new legislative authority,” CongressDaily/AM reports.
San Diego County’s Proposed Budget Allocates $1.6B for Health Care, Social Services
San Diego County officials yesterday unveiled a $3.7 billion budget proposal for FY 2001-2002, with the “biggest chunk” — $1.6 billion — allocated for health care and social services, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
CalPERS’ Committee Approves 17% Premium Hike
The California Public Employees’ Retirement System health committee yesterday approved a 17% premium hike to help the program “rebound” after two of its self-insured plans suffered nearly $100 million in losses last year, the Sacramento Bee reports.
WellPoint Vies for Ga. Health Programs Information Contract
WellPoint Health Networks is competing with two Texas-based companies, Affiliated Computer Services and Electronic Data Systems, for a $60 million per year contract to administer the Georgia Department of Community Health’s new claims processing and medical information system, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Blue Cross Plans Develop Guidelines for Treatment Discussions
Under new guidelines developed with the American Medical Association, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association will encourage doctors to discuss all treatment options with patients, “criticizing” the “gag rules” some health plans place on physicians, the AP/Akron Beacon Journal reports.
States File Suit Against Aventis, Andrx Over Generic Drugs
The attorneys general of 15 states and the District of Columbia yesterday filed a federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Detroit charging French pharmaceutical maker Aventis S.A. and generic drug manufacturer Andrx Corp. with violating anti-trust laws by “conspiring” to keep a generic form of the blood pressure drug Cardizem CD off the market, the AP/New York Times reports.
Preparations for HIPAA Implementation Prompt Electronic Signature Debate
The New York Times yesterday looked at the debate over electronic signatures, documentation that can add an “authentication code” to electronic medical documents.
New Patients’ Rights Bill Has Administration Support
Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.), with support from Sens. John Breaux (D-La.) and James Jeffords (R-Vt.), today will introduce a new bipartisan patients’ rights bill endorsed by President Bush that would “safeguard patients without unleashing excessive lawsuits or undermining states that have adopted similar protections,” the Washington Post reports.
Sunbridge Care Nursing Home Under Investigation by DHS
The state Department of Health Services is investigating Manteca-based Sunbridge Care and Rehabilitation Center, which has received four state citations since the beginning of last year, the Modesto Bee reports.
Los Angeles County Community Mental Health Program Cuts Hospitalizations, Jail Time
Since its creation by the state Legislature in November 1999, the Community Mental Health Treatment Program has reduced hospitalizations, incarcerations and homelessness for those with mental illnesses in Los Angeles County by offering community-based treatment, the Los Angeles Times reports.