Latest California Healthline Stories
PBGH to Provide Managed Care Plan Report Cards for DMHC
The Department of Managed Health Care and the independent health care purchasing coalition Pacific Business Group on Health have teamed up to create the first state-sponsored “HMO report card.”
Proposed HHS Rule Shortens ‘Phaseout’ of Medicaid Loophole
HHS proposed a rule yesterday that would close the Medicaid loophole after one more year instead of two for states that began using the “accounting gimmick” after October 1999. The AP/Washington Post reports that it is “not clear” how many states will be affected by the “shortened phaseout.”
Closed Ventura County Medical Group Will Not Face Criminal Charges, District Attorney Says
The Ventura County District Attorney’s office has concluded that operators of the Simi Valley-based Family Health Care Medical Group did not commit any criminal violations in the events leading up to the medical group’s “collapse” last October, the Ventura County Star reports.
Feinstein Introduces Coverage Expansion, Managed Care Reform
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D) recently introduced several bills that would improve health care for children and working families, as well as implement managed care reform. Feinstein reintroduced the Family Health Insurance Program of 2001 (S. 574), which would expand the CHIP program to include 23 million low-income parents of already enrolled children.
Bush Says Administration Will Offer New Arsenic Standards
After he withdrew a new standard issued by President Clinton regarding the allowable amount of arsenic in drinking water, President Bush said yesterday that he would seek a reduction in the allowable amount only after scientific studies say what the level should be, the AP/Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Federal Legislation Would Ban Mandatory Overtime for Nurses
Under the Registered Nurses and Patients Protection Act (HR 5179) introduced yesterday by Rep. Tom Lantos (D-Calif.), nurses would no longer be required to work overtime, CongressDaily/A.M. reports.
Stanford University Medical Center Faces ‘Restructuring’ Due to Mounting Losses
Facing “huge financial losses” since its merger with UCSF Medical Center was dismantled last year, Stanford University Medical Center will have to make some “difficult decisions” in the next few months, including cutting some services, laying off employees and even selling its hospitals, according to Dr. Eugene Bauer, vice president of the medical center, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Washington Post Says Bush Should Support FDA Regulation of Tobacco
By not publicly supporting FDA regulation of tobacco, “President Bush invites only skepticism that he is serious about the problem of tobacco and health,” a Washington Post editorial today says.
PacifiCare Ends Contract with Saint Agnes, Matrix Doctors Group
In a move that “took many by surprise,” PacifiCare this week “abruptly” ended its contract with Fresno-based Saint Agnes Medical Center and the hospital’s physician group Matrix and announced it will transfer the plan’s 61,000 Valley members to Community Medical Centers and its Sante Community Physicians, the Fresno Bee reports.
Strike Planned for Eight Sutter Hospitals in Bay Area
The latest in a series of Bay Area hospital strikes is scheduled to begin Monday, as nurses and technical staff members at eight Bay Area Sutter Health-owned hospitals are planning a three-day walk-out, the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat reports.