Tag: California
California passes bill that eases home delivery for enteral nutrition
October 5, 2026HME News Staff
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California Gov. Gavin Newsom in late September signed AB 1794, legislation that creates a clearer pathway for directly delivering medically necessary enteral nutrition products to patients in their homes, according to the California Association of Medical Product Suppliers (CAMPS). AB 1794 amends the state’s pharmacy law to expressly authorize pharmacists, manufacturers and wholesalers to participate in arrangements allowing enteral nutrition supplements or replacements...
California removes certain requirements for wheelchair repairs
August 4, 2026HME News Staff
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Department of Health Care Services will not require treatment authorization requests (TARs) when the cumulative cost for wheelchair repair maintenance or replacement parts is less than or equal to $2,500 within a calendar month, the National Coalition for Assistive & Rehab Technology (NCART) has announced. “NCART members, consumers, and the California Department of Health Care Services have been meeting to improve the CRT benefit for California consumers,”...
HHS, CMS pause $1B in federal matching funds to Medicaid programs in two states
July 22, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have deferred more than $1 billion in federal Medicaid payments to California and Minnesota while the states provide additional documentation supporting certain claims. CMS says it is withholding approximately $867.5 million from California and $199 million from Minnesota following focused financial reviews that identified claims requiring further scrutiny. “CMS is done...
Medline announces new 1 million-square-foot facility in California
July 21, 2026HME News Staff
NORTHFIELD, Ill. – Medline plans to open a 1 million-square-foot distribution center in Perris, Calif. This follows the company’s previous announcement of a lease agreement for an existing 925,000-square-foot facility in Tracy, Calif., and plans for a 709,000-square-foot facility in Stockton, Calif., in January 2027. "This investment marks another step in the continued growth of our California distribution network," said Jim Eveland, vice president of regional operations...
Medline increases footprint in California following fire
July 7, 2026HME News Staff
NORTHFIELD, Ill. – Medline has announced a lease agreement for an existing 925,000-square-foot warehouse in Tracy, Calif., for immediate occupancy, as well as a 709,000-square-foot facility nearby in Stockton, Calif., for use in January 2027.
These two facilities total more than 1.6 million square feet of new medical supplies distribution center space and more than supplant the 1 million-square-foot Tracy facility that was destroyed by fire on June 11. They also represent...
California recognizes March as Sleep Apnea Awareness Month
March 17, 2026HME News Staff
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California State Assembly has voted to recognize March as Sleep Apnea Awareness Month, formally acknowledging obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as a serious and underdiagnosed public health issue with consequences for individual health, workforce safety and public safety. “Sleep apnea is a silent but widespread condition that affects health and safety across our state, especially in underserved communities,” said Assemblywoman Lisa Calderon, who introduced the...
California becomes latest state to cap insulin costs
October 15, 2025HME News Staff
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 40 to cap insulin costs at $35 for a 30-day supply for Californians on private state-regulated health plans. In California, approximately 3.5 million adults have diagnosed diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), and while not all use insulin, those who do rely on it to survive. “For far too long, many Americans with diabetes have made the difficult decision to ration this lifesaving medication...
Community is ‘built into fabric’ at Henry Schein
February 21, 2025Theresa Flaherty
MELVILLE, N.Y. – Dedicating relief to those impacted by California’s recent wildfires through the Henry Schein Cares Foundation was an obvious move for Henry Schein, where community is part of the culture, says Kyle Guerin, director, corporate social responsibility.
“It started 90 years ago with Henry and Esther Schein and over time was built into the fabric of our organization,” he said. “(It’s) the idea of doing well by doing good and as a health care...
California budget contains wins for HME
July 7, 2022HME News Staff
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California’s recently passed $308 billion budget includes several positive changes for home medical equipment.
Those changes:
It makes permanent the 100% of Medicare for all respiratory equipment and supplies that was established by the Department of Health and Children’s Services during the PHE;
Eliminates the 10% cut on all DME and CGMs; and
Eliminates the 10% cut for orthotic devices on July 1, 2022, or when federal approval...
Providers prep for increased power outages
October 4, 2019Theresa Flaherty
REDDING, Calif. - With the fall wildfire season underway in California, HME providers are making sure their oxygen therapy patients are prepared to be without power more often.
For the first time, Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison and other electric companies say they plan to cut off power to certain areas when the fire risk is deemed high, generally due to high winds.
“SoCal has come out and said, 'If we have something that might stress the power lines, we are just...