Latest California Healthline Stories
Poll: 55% of Voters Back Brown’s Tax Hike Plan; 40% Back Munger’s Plan
A new poll finds that 55% of state voters support Gov. Brown’s compromise tax hike plan, while 36% oppose it. According to the poll, 40% of respondents support a rival tax hike initiative by civil rights attorney Molly Munger, while 49% oppose it. San Jose Mercury News et al.
GOP Members Urge Repeal of Health Law Tax Provisions
Some House and Senate Republicans are calling on their party to focus on repealing several tax provisions in the federal health reform law when Congress reconvenes after the November election. Several provisions in the reform law are expected to generate about $438 billion over a decade. Two of those provisions, which are expected to generate more than $210 billion, will take effect in January and affect high-income U.S. residents. Politico.
Experts Question Vow by Romney To Reverse $716B in Medicare Cuts
Health care experts are questioning GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s pledge to reverse $716 billion in Medicare cuts included in the federal health reform law. Experts say that repealing the cuts would increase beneficiaries’ out-of-pocket costs. New York Times.
Ethnic Voters in Calif. Show Strong Support for Reform Law, Poll Finds
A poll finds that most ethnic voters in California support the health reform law. According to the poll, 88% of blacks and 67% of Latinos support the law. Experts say support is high among ethnic voters because they stand to benefit from the law’s provisions. New America Media, Field Poll.
Initiative Aims To Standardize Public Health Data Reporting
IBM is collaborating with CDC and the Public Health Data Standards Consortium to develop standards for exchanging and reporting public health data. As part of the project, the organizations will develop templates for public health case reports that would be compatible with electronic health record systems and align with the meaningful use program’s requirements. eWeek et al.
Norco City Officials Mull Cuts to Retirees’ Health Benefits
Officials in Norco, a city in Riverside County, are considering making cuts to the lifetime medical benefits program for city employees. A recent report found that a portion of the $800,000 the city spent last year for retirees’ medical benefits was coming from the city’s $13.3 million general fund. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Report: More Insurers Adopting Consumer Engagement Tools
A report finds that more health insurers are using social media, mobile applications and other tools to boost consumer engagement. However, the report notes that insurers still are in the “early-innovator” stage for using such technology. Healthcare IT News, Health Data Management.
Gov’t Panel Likely To Propose Routine Screenings for HIV
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is preparing to issue a new recommendation that would make HIV testing a standard practice for doctors, according to health officials close to the panel. The recommendation would update USPSTF’s current position, which leaves the screening decision up to physicians. The proposal could be released for public comment by the end of the year. Reuters.
Editorial: Lawmakers Should Approve Pension Reform Plan
According to an Orange County Register editorial, Gov. Brown’s 12-point pension reform plan “was a worthy start” to overhauling pensions even though it “didn’t go far enough.” The editorial states, “We urge Orange County’s two Democrats in the Legislature” to approve the plan. It notes, “Democrats control both house of the Legislature, so they could pass [pension] reform without Republican support.” Orange County Register.
Calif. Watchdog Agency Launches Probe of Health District Officials
The California Fair Political Practices Commission is investigating current and former health care district board members for potential conflicts of interest. The probes follow a financial review of certain districts last month. Bay Citizen.