02/02/2012
On Tuesday, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction to block California from moving forward with a 10% reduction to Medi-Cal payments. According to finance department officials, the state will appeal the ruling. Los Angeles Times' "PolitiCal" et al.
02/02/2012
Many state Medicaid directors are concerned about a provision of the federal health reform law that requires insurers to pay a tax on premium revenue. Some directors hope the federal government will exempt Medicaid managed care plans from the tax. Kaiser Health News/McClatchy.
02/01/2012
State Controller John Chiang has sent a letter to budget leaders warning that California could run out of cash by early March. Brown administration officials say the spending gap stems in part from courts blocking planned cuts to health and welfare programs. Sacramento Bee et al.
01/31/2012
Today, the Congressional Budget Office released an economic outlook predicting that the cost of government health care programs will more than double over the next 10 years to $1.8 trillion, representing about 7% of the U.S. economy. The Hill's "Healthwatch," Wall Street Journal.
01/31/2012
A judge has issued a tentative ruling to block a 10% reduction to Medi-Cal payment rates while a lawsuit challenging the cuts continues. The judge said the state's budget issues do not outweigh the harm that the reductions could cause. AP/Sacramento Bee et al.
01/26/2012
State and federal policymakers are looking to the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly as a potential model to save money and improve health care for the elderly and individuals with disabilities. California has five PACE organizations that operate 18 centers. San Francisco Chronicle.
01/25/2012
A new poll from the Public Policy Institute of California finds that 57% of California adults would be willing to pay higher taxes to support the state's safety-net programs. The poll also finds that 68% of likely voters support Gov. Brown's tax hike proposal. HealthyCal et al.
01/20/2012
On Thursday, Fresno County officials said steps are being taken to ensure public safety and essential services are maintained during a three-day labor strike planned by the 4,100-member Service Employees International Union over a new contract that includes pay cuts of at least 9%. The strike, which is set to begin on Monday, may affect some public health and social services, such as mental health treatment and Medi-Cal benefits, according to officials. Meanwhile, the California Nurses Association might consider a similar strike after its 75 county nurses experienced similar pay cuts. Fresno Bee.
01/19/2012
A report by the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured and Georgetown University researchers finds that the number of residents covered under Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program remained relatively steady last year. National Journal, Modern Healthcare.
01/19/2012
The outcomes of two Medicaid-related lawsuits before the U.S. Supreme Court could substantially change the federal government's role in the program. In the first case -- the multistate lawsuit challenging the federal health reform law -- the plaintiffs argue that the Medicaid expansion, scheduled for 2014, coerces states to participate in the program. In the second case, which originated in California, the Supreme Court will determine whether individual beneficiaries and health care providers can sue states that make Medicaid cuts. Some legal observers say that if the Supreme Court rules in favor of the plaintiffs in both cases, federal law no longer will have significant influence on states' Medicaid operations, such as eligibility decisions, coverage requirements and health care providers' payments. Politico.
01/11/2012
State Controller John Chiang reports that California's December revenues fell $1.4 billion below budget estimates and that legislative action might be needed to ensure the state can meet payment obligations. Sacramento Bee's "Capitol Alert" et al.
01/11/2012
A number of states are attempting to control health care spending growth by implementing Medicaid initiatives similar to accountable care organizations. Although federal and state officials do not have exact figures on how many states are experimenting with such initiatives, 13 states have submitted Medicaid amendments for medical homes to CMS, and four have received approval so far. States are taking approaches that include shared savings programs and offering bonus payments for improving patient outcomes. Modern Healthcare.
01/09/2012
In preparation for 2014 when most of the federal health reform law's provisions are scheduled take effect, officials from several Alameda County health care agencies are working together to extend health care and wellness programs to as many county residents as possible. They hope to meet the medical needs of as many as 150,000 newly insured residents by participating in a federal waiver initiative that provides funding to Medi-Cal. Officials from the agencies -- which include the county's public health department -- meet regularly to discuss ways to integrate care for low-income residents, a process they plan to streamline with the launch of shared electronic health records by 2014. HealthyCal.
01/09/2012
Over the weekend, many GOP presidential candidates discussed health care issues in New Hampshire. Former Sen. Rick Santorum said he would shift Medicaid responsibility to the states, and Rep. Ron Paul said he would repeal the federal health reform law. AP/Washington Post et al.
01/09/2012
Health care advocates are raising concern that Gov. Brown's fiscal year 2012-2013 budget proposal would have dire implications for underserved communities, warning that proposed cuts would affect minorities, the elderly, children and rural patients. New America Media et al.