09/02/2010
A recent USA Today analysis finds that spending by U.S. residents on medical care during the first half of 2010 grew at a rate of 2.7% per person, the slowest annual rate in 50 years. Experts attribute the slower growth rate to the effects of the recession. USA Today.
09/02/2010
Gov. Schwarzenegger's tax adjustment plan likely would cause lower- and middle-class residents to pay higher fees, according to an initial review from the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office. Aaron McLear, a spokesperson for the governor, said Schwarzenegger opposes any tax proposal that would raise costs for any income level. Sacramento Bee's "Capitol Alert."
09/02/2010
A new study by Buck Consultants shows how much the city of San Diego and taxpayers could save by making substantial changes to the city's health care benefit for retired workers. The current deficit for the benefit stands at $1.36 billion. San Diego Union-Tribune.
09/01/2010
California employers are paying an average of $2.47 for every $100 of payroll to cover workers' compensation policies written this year, according to a report released last week by the Workers' Compensation Rating Bureau of California. The rate is about 5% higher than last year's average workers' compensation premiums, according to the report. Sacramento Business Journal.
09/01/2010
The Legislature has sent the governor a bill requiring insurers to provide 60 days' notice before increasing premiums. A measure that would have required insurers to obtain state approval before raising rates failed to garner enough votes to pass. Los Angeles Times et al.
09/01/2010
California's public employee pension accounts -- CalPERS, CalSTRS and the UC retirement system -- might face a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation into whether the state misled investors through legislation that affected the pensions' funds, former Assembly member Joe Nation writes in a San Francisco Chronicle opinion piece. Citing a recent case involving pension funds in New Jersey, Nation, who is currently a professor of public policy at Stanford University, writes that California could face similar fraud charges. San Francisco Chronicle.
09/01/2010
On Tuesday, Modoc County voters approved a $195 annual parcel tax to fund the Modoc Medical Center, the county's sole medical facility, which had been struggling financially. Voters also approved a measure to create a group to oversee operations of the hospital. AP/San Diego Union-Tribune.
08/31/2010
Roughly 1,900 companies have qualified to receive reimbursement from a $5 billion fund established under the health reform law to help businesses, unions and other employers cover health care costs for retirees ages 55 to 64 who do not qualify for Medicare. The large number of qualified groups is raising concerns that HHS will not be able to keep the program solvent until 2014 as planned. Wall Street Journal.
08/31/2010
The UC retirement system will face a shortfall of more than $20 billion unless broad changes are made to the program, according to a report released Monday by university administrators and employees. The panel recommended that UC increase contributions by staff, raise the minimum retirement age and reduce benefits. Los Angeles Times.
08/30/2010
Last week, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Attorney General Eric Holder outlined the Obama administration's new efforts to combat Medicare and Medicaid fraud at a summit in Los Angeles. At the meeting, Sebelius noted that CMS has issued a final regulation designed to protect seniors from fraudulent medical supply vendors by requiring prosthetics suppliers to maintain proper ordering documentation and remain open for 30 hours weekly. Los Angeles Times.
08/27/2010
Many U.S. residents have been attempting to save money by reducing or completely forgoing taking their prescription drugs, according to a new prescription drug poll released by the Consumer Reports National Research Center. Respondents said that some of the common practices they used to reduce costs included taking expired medication, splitting pills, skipping doses and sharing prescriptions with another person. HealthLeaders Media et al.
08/26/2010
Prices for the 217 brand-name drugs most commonly used by elderly U.S. residents increased by 8.3% on average in 2009, according to a report released on Wednesday by AARP. The increase, which is the largest in years, came despite negative inflation. The report found that over the previous five years, retail prices for the most popular brand-name medications rose by 41.5%, compared with an increase in the consumer price index of 13.3%. New York Times.
08/26/2010
Yesterday, California officials approved Anthem Blue Cross' plan to raise individual policyholders' health insurance premiums by an average of 14% and Blue Shield of California's proposal to raise rates by an average of 18.2%. Los Angeles Times et al.
08/25/2010
As many as 3.7 million beneficiaries could modify their coverage plans under changes meant to ease enrollment in Medicare's prescription drug coverage, according to a new analysis. The changes are designed to decrease duplicate plans offered by the same insurer. AP/Chicago Tribune.
08/25/2010
Six Los Angeles unions have thwarted Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's attempt to require city workers to pay more for health care. However, the Engineers and Architects Association agreed to higher health care contributions as part of a new contract. Los Angeles Times.