03/19/2010
Forty-five percent of Californians approve of how President Obama is handling the issue of health care, up from 39% in January, according to the latest Field Poll. Californians are not as positive about Congress' performance on health care, with 80% saying they disapprove of lawmakers' actions on the issue. Sacramento Bee.
03/19/2010
On Thursday, Consumer Watchdog asked California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner to release documents he has gathered in his investigation of Anthem Blue Cross' proposed premium increases. The group also wants Poizner to hold a minimum of four public hearings across the state on the matter. Los Angeles Times.
03/17/2010
Beginning April 1, the Pacific Heart Institute physician group will charge some patients fees ranging from $500 to $7,500 to help offset recent cuts to Medicare reimbursements and help support e-mail communication with doctors and other services. The American College of Cardiology is suing to block some of the Medicare cuts. Kaiser Health News.
03/17/2010
Under a "three-share" health insurance model, a monthly premium is divided equally among an employer, a worker and the community. At least five states are using federal grant funds to launch or expand three-share programs for employees of small businesses. Kaiser Health News.
03/17/2010
Federal receiver J. Clark Kelso has asked California lawmakers to pass four bills that could reduce prison health care spending by about $350 million. The bills include proposals to restrict prescription drug use in prisons and grant medical parole to certain inmates. AP/Ventura County Star.
03/17/2010
Massachusetts lawmakers on Tuesday indicated that they are likely to cap payments to hospitals and doctors as part of an effort to keep rising health spending in check. Gov. Deval Patrick (D) recently filed a measure that would permit state officials to reject rates set by care providers and insurers, while lawmakers and administration officials also have unveiled similar health care cost-control plans. Boston Globe.
03/16/2010
A new study from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research finds that more than eight million Californians lacked health insurance coverage for all or part of 2009, up from 6.4 million in 2007. Researchers attributed the dramatic increase to the recession and the state's higher unemployment rate, which climbed from 5.7% in 2007 to 12.3% by the end of 2009. Los Angeles Times.
03/15/2010
Brian Sassi -- president of the consumer business unit of WellPoint, Anthem Blue Cross' parent company -- argues that rising medical costs, rather than insurers' profit, are driving up health insurance premiums and that lawmakers should tackle medical costs to effectively overhaul the U.S. health care system. Sacramento Bee.
03/15/2010
The high court has agreed to review a case that could determine how much injured residents can receive in treatment compensation from the parties responsible for an injury. Currently, such residents can recoup only the amount their insurers pay for care. San Francisco Chronicle.
03/12/2010
While health reform legislation "could be improved with an even more vigorous approach to controlling costs," it does contain numerous efforts to "put the health care system on the right path," a Los Angeles Times editorial asserts. The editorial commends President Obama and lawmakers for including such cost-containing initiatives as health insurance exchanges, wellness incentives, demonstration projects and an independent panel that could issue spending recommendations. Los Angeles Times.
03/12/2010
The Massachusetts Health Insurance Connector Authority board will be re-examining the formula it uses to determine health insurance affordability and who is subject to a penalty for not having health coverage. Some board members have said that insurance costs have risen much faster than income, putting health coverage out of reach for many people. Boston Globe.
03/12/2010
A new survey from the National Business Group on Health finds that many large employers are planning to transfer a portion of their health care costs to workers next year. Some employers said they intend to raise employee contributions, tighten health plan eligibility or create incentive programs. Washington Post.
03/12/2010
Last year, Shasta County public health programs saw funding levels decline by $1.2 million. The financial pressures have compelled the county to eliminate immunization clinics, pediatric dental care programs and other preventive health services. Redding Record Searchlight.
03/12/2010
Yesterday, the Congressional Budget Office released a new cost and deficit analysis for the current version of the Senate health reform bill. The report estimates that the bill would cost $875 billion over 10 years and reduce the federal deficit by $118 billion. AP/Washington Post.
03/12/2010
Yesterday, the Third District Court of Appeal upheld a labor board decision that barred Sacramento County from eliminating health insurance subsidies for retired county workers. The ruling could leave the county on the hook for as much as $450,000 in back payments. Sacramento Bee.