Friday, January 27, 2012
The Assembly has passed bills that would expand coverage of mental health care services and require insurers to cover oral chemotherapy treatments. Meanwhile, a bill to establish a universal health care system in California stalled in the Senate.
Sacramento Bee et al.
The California Department of Insurance is examining the business practices of Lap-Band surgery centers affiliated with a state-based marketing campaign, according to health insurance company Aetna. Marketing campaign officials say they are unaware of the investigation.
Los Angeles Times.
On Thursday, a federal judge indicated that she likely will strike down a federal law that prevents same-sex partners from receiving long-term health care benefits. The case stems from a lawsuit that UC-San Francisco employees filed against CalPERS.
San Francisco Chronicle.
During a debate yesterday, GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum criticized former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for supporting an individual mandate in his state. Romney said his plan was intended only at the state level, unlike the federal health reform law.
Los Angeles Times et al.
San Pablo's Doctors Medical Center has received an $8 million revolving line of credit from Gemino Healthcare Finance. Meanwhile, Natividad Medical Center in Salinas plans to train low-income women to become medical interpreters for patients who speak indigenous languages.
AROUND CALIFORNIA
Beginning this Sunday and on the third Sunday of every month, students at UC Davis' School of Medicine will operate a new primary health care clinic in rural Yolo County's Knights Landing for low-income and uninsured residents. The clinic -- which will also be staffed by volunteer physicians, nurses and graduate students in public health -- is one of seven no-cost clinics operated by the medical school's students. Sacramento Business Journal.
On Tuesday, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors voted to join the Coast2Coast Rx discount prescription drug card program. According to officials, the program -- which covers more than 60,000 medications -- helped users in 2010 save an average of 45% on prescriptions. The card also offers savings of up to 50% on dental, vision, hearing and diabetes supplies, and up to 80% on lab and imaging tests. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
On Monday, the University of California announced that it finalized a deal with the University Professional and Technical Employees union in which both parties will increase contributions to the workers' pension plan. The agreement, which runs through June 2013, requires union members to pay the same health care rates as general UC employees. San Francisco Business Times, Sacramento Business Journal.
ACROSS THE NATION
On Wednesday, health insurer WellPoint -- the parent company of Anthem Blue Cross in California -- announced that it earned $335.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, a 39% decline from the $548.8 million in earned during the final quarter of 2010. The company attributed the drop to a $50 million loss in the quarter through a Northern California plan that drew more customers with higher risk profiles who generated more in claims than the premiums they paid. The plan was discontinued on Jan. 1. AP/Sacramento Bee.
On Wednesday, first lady Michelle Obama and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack unveiled final nutrition guidelines for government-subsidized school meals. The new standards -- which were mandated under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 -- will require lunches to include more fruits and vegetables, and less salt and fat. Schools will begin to implement the new standards in September at an estimated cost of $3.2 billion over five years. New York Times et al.