Latest California Healthline Stories
‘Widespread And Systemic Failures’ Cited In Cigna Medicare Advantage Suspension
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said Cigna did not handle complaints and grievances from patients properly. The suspension will not affect those already enrolled. In other news on Medicare Advantage, a new study looks at CMS’s cost predictions.
As Enrollment Deadline Nears, Obama Praises Health Law Successes In Radio Address
“It’s making a difference for millions of Americans every day [and] it is only going to get better,” the president says. Also in the news, a look at some health plans that exclude outpatient surgeries and the House’s postponement of a vote on health care.
Clinton Reminds Voters She Wanted Universal Health Care First
Hillary Clinton says she just has a different way of working toward providing coverage to everyone than her opponent Bernie Sanders. Meanwhile, Bloomberg News examines her claims that “HillaryCare” was the precursor to the Affordable Care Act. And, Sanders’ “Medicare-for-all” proposal would hit working seniors with tax increases
Drug Makers’ Funding To Patient Groups Has Stifled Crucial Voice In Cost Debate, Critics Say
But one reason for the lack of interest in the topic could be that the organizations are focused on developing drugs to cure diseases.
If He Shows, Shkreli Plans To Invoke Fifth Amendment
The Oversight and Government Reform Committee subpoenaed former Turing CEO Martin Shkreli, who became the face of the high drug costs controversy, to testify on the spiked prices.
GOP Senators: Obama Administration Missed Warning Signs On Co-Ops
At a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Thursday, lawmakers grilled acting CMS Administrator Andy Slavitt over the failed nonprofit health insurers. Slavitt promised the committee that the government is taking steps to help the co-ops, which were created to compete with larger private insurers. Twelve of the 23 set up under the law have gone out of business.
Moorpark Becomes Next City To Ban Sale of Medical Marijuana
Local governments across California are taking action before state-wide regulations kick in. In other news, other states are looking toward California’s model when it comes to investors in the marijuana industry.
Why Porter Ranch Is The Canary In the Mine For Gas Storage Zones
The problems that led to the massive, uncontrolled gas leak are common in areas across California.
Schools That Erroneously Enroll Undervaccinated Children Face Possible Penalties
The California Department of Education says it will audit 166 schools statewide for having more than 25 percent of their kindergartners enrolled as conditional entrants; 107 are in the Los Angeles Unified School District. In other public health news, Stateline examines why opioid addicts in the hardest-hit communities — such as San Francisco — aren’t getting the medications that could help them recover.
Four Health Plans Could Be On Hook For $10B In Back Taxes
It the court rules against them, industry critics say it would be the end to one of the biggest tax code abuses in state history, but the health plans say they aren’t insurers so they are thus exempt from the tax. Meanwhile, Kaiser Permanente says its outages issues have not been caused by a cyberattack.