Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger released his proposed spending plan for fiscal year 2005-06 set to be implemented July 1st.  The proposal, which attempts to address the $9.1 billion spending gap, contains cuts and borrowing, but contains no new tax increases. See Legislative Memo   (01/10/05)
	Medi-Cal Cuts - Court Issues TRO to Stop Cuts to Rates for Fee-for-Service Providers - We are happy to report that United States District Court Judge Levi issued a TRO today to stop the state from making the 5% cut to provider reimbursement rates scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2004.  The suit was brought by a group of providers which is a subset of a larger coalition of more than 50 Medi-Cal providers and provider organizations--including the California Dialysis Council. See Press Release &  See judges ruling  (12/23/03)
	ESRD Medi-Cal Providers Exempt from Laboratory Frequency Limits - We are happy to report that we now have an official publication exempting ESRD providers from the laboratory testing frequency limits which will be imposed on most other Medi-Cal providers as of January 5, 2004. (12/22/03)  Click here for more information and a copy of the Medi-Cal Bulletin)
	CDC plans Sacramento Legislation Day - Guest speaker, Assembly Member Dario Frommer, Chair of Assembly Health Committee.  For more information and a registration for click here  (12/19/03)
	California Medical Association (CMA) has filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction from the courts to stop implementation of the five percent cut in Medi-Cal provider reimbursement rates. (11/7/03) See copy of lawsuit
	Legislative Session Ends without Restoration of Medi-Cal Rate Cut (09/16/03) See Memo
	Legislative Update – Workers’ Compensation Reform and Employer Health Mandate Bills Move Forward (09/10/03) See Memo
	SB 370 (Soto) – CDC Sponsored Bill: Elimination of Medi-Cal TARs - SB 370 (Soto) was recently signed by Governor Gray Davis and is now chaptered into law (Chapter 321, statutes of 2003). The measure takes effect on January 1, 2004. (09/08/03)  See Memo
	The Legislative Analyst has now released a new report entitled "Major Features of the 2003 California Budget". (08/11/03) To view/print this report  Click here
	State Budget contains 5% cut in Medi-Cal reimbursement (07/29/03)  See Memo
	AB1739 Certified Hemodialysis Technician Training Regulations Defeated.(07/16/03)  See memo
	Department of Health Services (DHS) Suggests Amendments with CDC's input to AB1739 Certified Hemodialysis Technician Training Regulations. Click here to view amendments.
	Court reaffirmed its preliminary decision to deny the California Nurses Association (CNA) its request for a  preliminary injunction to stop the application of the new LVN regulations. Click here to see the memorandum from the CDC legislative Office (04/14/03)
	Department of Health Services (DHS) introduces Legislation (AB 1739) to enact Certified Hemodialysis Technician Training Regulation.  Click on the link above for a copy of the bill. For a copy of a document indicating the proposed changes click here   (03/14/03)
	Court denies CNA's request for a Temporary Restraining Order on the LVN regulations. The regulations will therefore go into effect on March 1, 2003.  However, the judge has requested a "Hearing to Show Cause" on the matter of a the OAL's decision. This hearing  is originally scheduled for Monday March 24, 2003 has been rescheduled for April 10, 2003.  (03/14/03)
	California Nurses Association (CNA) has file suit a lawsuit designed to overturn the new LVN regulations approved by the California Office of Administrative Law (OAL).  The suit requests a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) from the courts.  If the court grants a stay of the regulations, they will not go into effect as currently scheduled.  The effective date would them await further action by the court. Link to CNA web site for their announcement. Click here (02/24/03)
	California Office of Administrative Law (AOL) APPROVES LVN regulations.  Click here for more information and a copy of the regulations (01/31/03)
	CMS introduces "Single Drug Pricer" (SDP) for AWP Drugs for full detail go to our SDP Page
	CDC forms grassroots committee to respond to proposed cuts in Medi-Cal reimbursement - Click here to see memorandum to CDC membership (12/20/2002)
	CDC's response to proposed cuts in Medi-Cal reimbursement - Click here to see Michael Arnold's memorandum to the CDC membership (12/12/2002)
	Governor Gray Davis proposes cuts in Medi-Cal reimbursement - Click here to see Michael Arnold's memorandum to the CDC membership (12/11/2002)
	Medi-Cal Update (March 2002)  Billing and Policy Chronic Dialysis Clinics Bulletin 329. Effective for dates of services on or after April 1, 2002, a new benefit, Cathflo Activase 2mg injection (HCPCS code X7122), is separately reimbursable for dialysis centers for the restoration of function of central venous catheters that become occluded. Click on Bulletin 329 to view and print the full bulletin.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Inspector General has released a series of reports on "Clinical Performance Measures for Dialysis Facilities.  Use these links to obtain your copy of the reports directly from their website. Link #1 is the basic report (19 pages) entitled "Building on the Experiences of the Dialysis Corporations" Link #2 is Supplemental Report #1 (22 pages) "Practices of the Major Dialysis Corporations" and Link #3 is Supplemental Report #2 (64 pages) "Lessons Learned by the Major Dialysis Corporations and Implications for Medicare"  Link #1 to OIG Report   Link #2 to OIG Report    Link #3 to OIG Report.