Legislation To Create Government-Set Prices On Medical Services Shelved, But Backers Remain Optimistic
Labor unions and consumer advocates backed the bill, but it was opposed by physicians and hospitals.
Los Angeles Times:
California Bill To Cap Prices On Many Healthcare Services Is Shelved In Assembly
A sweeping California proposal to curb healthcare costs by imposing price controls sputtered Friday, but backers vowed to continue the effort next year. The measure, Assembly Bill 3087 by Assemblyman Ash Kalra (D-San Jose), would have created a state commission to determine prices for a large swath of healthcare services, including doctor’s visits, hospital stays and medical procedures. (Mason, 5/25)
The Associated Press:
Bill To Create Health Care Price Controls In California Dies
The measure was a longshot from the beginning, but it drew national attention from health care policy observers. Hospitals, doctors and other influential health care providers lobbied intensely against the bill, which they said would lead to longer waits for medical care. The bill has helped to change the national debate over health care costs and brought a wide variety of health care interests to the table, said Assemblyman Ash Kalra, a San Jose Democrat who wrote the bill. (5/25)
In other news from Sacramento —
KQED:
A Scaled-Back Bid To Care For Undocumented Californians
An estimated 1.8 million adult immigrants live in California without authorization, and roughly 1.2 million of them are poor enough to qualify for Medi-Cal, the state’s version of Medicaid. They can get care in emergency rooms, but a proposed new law would have provided them with full Medi-Cal benefits, including preventive care. (Gorn, 5/28)