Latest California Healthline Stories
Enrolling Healthy People a Likely Challenge for Calif. Health Exchange
The California Health Benefit Exchange must attract enough healthy individuals to keep costs down and encourage insurers to participate, according to exchange officials. The state is planning a public outreach campaign about the exchange next year. Sacramento Bee.
Opinion: U.S. Bill Would Boost Calif. Access to Healthy Food
Last month, the “[U.S.] Senate included a Healthy Food Financing Initiative in the reauthorization of the Farm Bill,” which “would provide one-time grants and loans to a variety of retailers that sell healthy foods,” Scott Sporte — chief lending officer at NCB Capital Impact — writes in a Sacramento Bee opinion piece. “Unfortunately, while California has its own program, state budget problems have not allowed it to receive separate funding,” he adds. “[L]awmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives need to include funding for the Healthy Food Financing Initiative in their version of the Farm Bill … to bring healthy foods to communities all over the United States, including California’s Central Valley,” he writes. Sacramento Bee.
Many Governors Still Weighing Reform Law’s Expansion of Medicaid
During the recent National Governors Association meeting, governors largely avoided discussing whether their state would participate in the health reform law’s Medicaid expansion. Many governors said they need more time to consider the issue. New York Times et al.
UC-Riverside Tries Again To Open Full Medical School
UC-Riverside officials are trying for a second time to gain approval for a full medical school. Last year, state officials refused to pay for the school and national accreditors would not allow it to open. UC-Riverside officials now say that they have obtained donations totaling $10 million annually for a decade and hope that the school can enroll its first students in fall 2013. Los Angeles Times.
Oakland City Officials Protest Medical Pot Crackdown
On Thursday, Oakland city officials warned that federal efforts to shut down the city’s regulated medical marijuana dispensaries would have long-lasting economic and social consequences. The warnings came one day after federal prosecutors issued a civil forfeiture action against the landlords of Oakland’s Harborside Health Center, the nation’s largest medical marijuana dispensary. Los Angeles Times.
FDA To Create Public Database for Tracking Foodborne Bacteria
FDA is working with UC-Davis, CDC and Agilent Technologies on a public database to catalog the genetic codes of 100,000 bacteria that cause foodborne illness. Scientists could use the database to quickly identify what food carries bacteria and where outbreaks originate. Wall Street Journal et al.
GOP Expected To Face Challenges Dismantling Health Care Reform Law
Republicans would face difficulty repealing the federal health reform law even if the party gains the presidency and a majority in the Senate. Repealing the law likely would require Republicans to pass a budget resolution and accompanying reconciliation bill. AP/Sacramento Bee, The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Counties Worried About Doctor Count Ahead of Medi-Cal Growth
County officials say the health reform law’s Medi-Cal expansion could exacerbate physician shortages in some areas of California. One expert said Medi-Cal reimbursement rates should be increased in rural areas to attract more doctors. Ventura County Star.
Columnist Criticizes Moving Gov.’s Tax Plan to Top of Ballot
Los Angeles Times Columnist George Skelton argues that when voters approved Proposition 25 in 2010, “Californians thought they were only allowing the Legislature to pass a budget on a majority vote,” adding, “They didn’t intend it as a license for” Gov. Brown “to rig the election ballot to benefit his tax increase proposal.” Los Angeles Times.
Officials: Calif. To Start Returning Inmates From Out-of-State Prisons
State officials say they soon will begin the process of returning inmates currently housed in out-of-state facilities under a prison realignment program. California has reduced its inmate population in an effort to improve prison health care. California Watch, CDCR release.