Los Angeles Times
Reporter for the Los Angeles TimesPROFILE
Duke Helfand
Guest
FROM Duke Helfand
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Blue Shield of California Hands Back Some Profits There's stunning news for individual policyholders with Blue Shield . California's largest nonprofit health insurer is making so much money — and paying so much to its CEO — that it's giving some back. Duke Helfand is writing the story for the Los Angeles Times .
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California Regulator Fines Insurers for Underpayment California's seven largest health insurance companies have been fined almost $5 million for late payments and underpayments to hospitals and doctors. The State Department of Managed Health Care says mistakes the companies regard as a "cost of doing business" could cause healthcare delivery "to grind to a halt." Duke Helfand is following the story for the Los Angeles Times .
To the Point
Insurers Drop Child-Only Policies as Obama Touts Health Reform New federal healthcare protections go into effect tomorrow. In a private back yard in Northern Virginia, President Obama listed some of the benefits . But some insurance companies already are fighting back. Anthem Blue Cross, Aetna and other say they'll stop selling policies for children rather than comply with new laws. Duke Helfand covers healthcare for the Los Angeles Times .
To the Point
Under Pressure, Anthem Drops Steep Rate Hikes As Congress was debating healthcare reform, Anthem Blue Cross raised insurance rates for 800,000 California customers by an average of 25%. President Obama seized the moment to push his program. Yesterday, those increases were cancelled . Anthem Blue Cross has been stung by California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner, a Republican candidate for Governor, who said their rate-increase plan had " all kinds of methodological mistakes ." Duke Helfand is reporting the story for the Los Angeles Times .
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Lawmakers Probe Spike in Health Insurance Premiums Health insurance rates for as many as 800,000 policyholders will rise by as much as 39 percent under a plan announced by Anthem Blue Shield. California’s largest for-profit health insurer blamed rising healthcare costs for the hike, but lawmakers in Sacramento and Washington have called for hearings , and President Obama said this offers more evidence of the urgent need for healthcare reform. Duke Helfand is a staff writer for the Los Angeles Times .
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LA Episcopalians Shake Up Church with Election of Lesbian Bishop The Archbishop of Canterbury had stern words today for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, which has elected a lesbian bishop , the Rev. Mary Glasspool. The local church acted this weekend in Riverside, but Glasspool must be confirmed by a national body of church leaders. Archbishop Rowan Williams warned today, “that decision will have very important implications. Duke Helfand covers religion for the Los Angeles Times .
To the Point
Episcopal Church Opens Door to Gay Bishops America's Episcopalians are worried about the reaction of Anglicans worldwide, but they've extended their embrace of gay and lesbian relationships anyway. The Episcopal Church is the American branch of the Church of England , the world's third largest Christian denomination, 77 million strong. Duke Helfand has been covering this week's Episcopal General Convention in Anaheim for the Los Angeles Times .
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City Faces Budget Crunch and Expensive Gang Problem Between Echo Park and Eagle Rock last week, several schools were locked down into the evening while the LAPD shot it out with reputed members of the Avenues street gang. Yesterday, 19 alleged gang members were picked up in North Hollywood in a sweep involving some 200 officers.
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To the Point
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?
To the Point
Trump's new look at civil rights and global warming President Trump is reportedly ready to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We look at the possible consequences. On the second half of the program, we hear about cuts in Obama-Era civil rights programs called for by the Trump Administration's first budget plan.
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Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
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Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.