Legislative Update
In the past week a judge ruled in favor of California's stem cell research program, a report estimated that a Massachusetts law that requires individuals to purchase health insurance likely would cost about $9.4 billion more to implement in California, and the Legislature acted on bills requiring health insurance coverage, the state stem cell research program and other health care issues.
For example, a bill by Sen. Gloria Romero was amended to establish a Trauma Care Fund only if it is determined that sufficient money for the fund is available. The trauma fund would be used to create a statewide trauma care system that would work to provide care for residents in different regions.
Legislation by Assembly member Lynn Daucher also was amended to require the Health and Human Services Agency to develop strategies for reducing duplicate assessments of home- and community-based health care services for Medi-Cal beneficiaries. The bill would take effect immediately if approved.
Another bill involving Medi-Cal, by Sen. Abel Maldonado, was amended to extend the deadline for creating a pilot program that would provide smart cards, containing medical histories and other information, for beneficiaries. That bill awaits consideration by the Appropriations Committee (StateNet, Subscription required).
Other news on prescription drugs, stem cell research and nursing also are available in this week's Legislative Update.