Latest California Healthline Stories
State Oversight of Nursing Homes Draws Criticism
California and the federal government are investigating whether the state agency charged with regulating nursing homes is doing the job adequately. At a time when the state’s elderly population is poised to increase substantially, some advocates are wondering whether the state is prepared for the demographic change.
Groups Look to Tobacco Tax Increase for Health Care Funding
Groups seeking to raise funds for children’s health insurance coverage, medical research, and tobacco cessation, as well as a group seeking funds for hospital emergency departments are considering ballot measures in 2006 to increase the state tobacco tax.
Experts Debate Possible Effects of Long-Term Care Insurance Bill
Legislation under consideration in Congress is intended to create incentives for middle-income consumers to purchase long-term care insurance, but some insurance experts have questioned how much the legislation would benefit consumers.
Healthy Kids Programs Gain Momentum in Counties Statewide
Four years after the first Healthy Kids program sprang up in Santa Clara County, homegrown health insurance programs have spread to almost half the counties in California, covering children who fall through the cracks in state and federal programs.
Care Provider Preparedness Could Affect Part D Rollout
The federal government has recommended that Medicare beneficiaries consult care providers with questions about the Medicare drug benefit, but some senior advocates and professional associations say providers might not be prepared to answer such questions.
New Medicare Drug Benefit Might Be a Tough Sell
Advocacy groups in California and nationwide are preparing to help Medicare beneficiaries enroll in the new Medicare prescription drug benefit and are specifically preparing to educate beneficiaries about provisions of the benefit while addressing their concerns about enrollment and the benefit itself.
New Medicare Drug Benefit Excludes Some Medicines
The new Medicare drug benefit does not provide coverage for all classes of prescription drugs, and some patient advocates are particularly concerned about the exclusion of benzodiazepines.
Stakeholders Work To Implement Mental Health Services Act
Mental health advocates and county officials are drafting plans for programs to be funded by Proposition 63, which state voters approved in November 2004. Proposals vary statewide, but advocates are optimistic about the effect the measure will have on the state’s mental health care system.
Additional Subsidies Available to Some Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries
Low-income Medicare beneficiaries will be eligible for some additional financial assistance under the new drug benefit, but some consumer advocates have raised questions about outreach efforts.
California, Federal Officials Address Medi-Cal Funding Strategies
California and 14 other states are in talks with federal officials to address some accounting practices related to Medicaid. California officials say the practices are legitimate but have agreed to some changes requested by CMS officials.