07/02/2009
Sens. Edward Kennedy and Christopher Dodd told members of the Senate HELP Committee that their revised proposal would cost $600 billion over 10 years and cover 97% of Americans. Bloggers pointed out that the estimate does not take into account the cost of a proposed Medicaid expansion. AP/Chicago Tribune et al.
07/02/2009
The California Regional Health Information Organization has named Molly Joel Coye as its president and CEO. CalRHIO seeks to link California emergency departments electronically with health insurers and physicians. San Francisco Business Times.
07/01/2009
Employers Direct Insurance will stop writing new workers' compensation policies or renewing existing policies in California beginning Aug. 1. The insurer attributed its decision to rising medical costs, stronger price competition and uncertainty over legislative reforms. San Francisco Business Times.
07/01/2009
In a letter to President Obama, Wal-Mart CEO Michael Duke, SEIU President Andy Stern and Center for American Progress chief John Podesta backed a requirement for businesses to provide coverage to workers. Wal-Mart is the largest private employer in the U.S. Washington Post et al.
07/01/2009
Last week, San Joaquin General Hospital launched its new telehealth center, in which patients can undergo two-way interviews and visual examinations from off-site nephrologists and neurologists. Five other facilities are participating in the effort. Stockton Record.
06/24/2009
A battle is heating up between the Service Employees International Union and the National Union of Healthcare Workers, a rival union headed by former leaders of an SEIU local. SEIU currently is challenging labor elections at health care facilities. Los Angeles Times.
06/24/2009
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his staff have intentionally been keeping the state Department of Insurance and the state Attorney General's office out of talks on the potential sale of a portion of the State Compensation Insurance Fund for $1 billion, according to a report by the trade journal Workers' Comp Executive. San Francisco Business Times.
06/24/2009
The amount certain workers' compensation benefits pay out will increase beginning in January 2010 because the state's average weekly wage, on which the benefits are based, increased by about 3% over the year ending March 31, according to the California Workers' Compensation Institute. Sacramento Business Journal.
06/23/2009
A proposal by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to sell a portion of the State Compensation Insurance Fund, the state's largest provider of workers' compensation insurance, for an estimated $1 billion has insurance brokers and small businesses concerned. Sacramento Business Journal.
06/22/2009
Ambulance companies American Medical Response and Medic Ambulance will be the only companies permitted to bid on a contract to provide services to Monterey County after they were the only companies to meet the county's deadline last week. AMR is currently providing services under a temporary contract that expires on Dec. 1, 2009. Monterey County Herald.
06/19/2009
On Thursday, California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner announced that $30 million in grants to combat workers' compensation fraud will go to local county district attorneys, about $1 million more than in 2008. San Francisco Business Times et al.
06/19/2009
Health care costs for U.S. businesses are expected to increase by 9% in 2010, slightly down from a 9.2% increase in 2009 and a 9.9% increase in 2008, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers. Sacramento Business Journal.
06/18/2009
On Wednesday, President Obama signed a presidential memorandum that gives same-sex partners of federal workers access to long-term care insurance benefits and paid sick leave to care for domestic partners or children the worker is not related to by blood or adoption. Legislation would be needed to expand access to full health insurance benefits. Washington Post.
06/18/2009
A new Field Poll finds bipartisan support among California voters for various proposals to overhaul the U.S. health care system. However, Democrats tend to favor raising taxes to pay for reform, while Republicans oppose such measures. Among all survey respondents, 85% said they support a public health insurance plan. San Diego Union-Tribune, Sacramento Bee.
06/18/2009
Yesterday, CalPERS' Board of Administration granted final approval for a plan to raise health care premiums for public workers by an average of 2.9%, the lowest rate hike in 14 years. HMO rates are set to rise 3.4%, while PPO rates will increase 3.3%. Sacramento Business Journal.