Latest California Healthline Stories
Editorial: Lawmakers Should Avoid Budget ‘Status Quo’
California lawmakers seeking to develop a fiscal year 2012-2013 budget plan seem to be split in their support of Gov. Jerry Brown’s “dishonest budget” and other fiscal measures “built on trickery, the tax hike and … inflated revenue predictions,” according to a U-T San Diego editorial. However, it states that there is “an alternative to the status quo” that involves “revamping the state tax system” to one “designed specifically to encourage economic growth, broadening taxes to cover some services but reducing or eliminating the taxes that discourage investment.” U-T San Diego.
Simplifying Processes Could Save U.S. Health System $40B Annually
A Center for American Progress report finds that streamlining administrative processes could cut U.S. health care spending by about $40 billion annually. The report recommends creating a federal office to oversee such efforts. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” National Journal.
GOP Questions White House’s Health Reform Deals With Rx Industry
A memo by GOP lawmakers contends that the Obama administration helped direct money from the pharmaceutical industry toward advertisements supporting the federal health reform law. Democrats dismissed the allegations as widely known fact. Reuters et al.
Sutter Health Unveils Research, Development Plan
Sutter Health has announced that it has hired two researchers to help the hospital group launch a three-year, $20 million initiative to expand its health care research and development programs. The initiative aims to launch new products and develop innovative tools that promote high-quality care. Payers & Providers.
Sheriffs Support Bill for Early Release, Medical Parole of Sick Inmates
California sheriffs groups are supporting a bill that would grant early release or medical probation to inmates who are dying or physically incapacitated and are not considered a public threat. The bill has passed the Senate and now is before the Assembly. Bay Citizen.
Report: Cancer Cases Up Among Calif. Children, Down for Adults
A recent report finds that new cancer cases have decreased among adults but increased among children in the state. However, the report finds that cancer survival rates have improved for both groups. California Watch, KQED’s “The California Report.”
Pelosi Reiterates Support for Federal Health Reform Law
Last week, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said the federal health reform law is “about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” and blamed the law’s low public support on critics who have misrepresented it. Pelosi was responding to a question about a recent poll finding that 68% of respondents said they want the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn all or part of the law. Politico.
UnitedHealth Group To Keep Following Certain Reform Law Provisions
Regardless of how the Supreme Court rules on the federal health reform law, health insurer UnitedHealth Group said it will continue to follow some of the overhaul’s provisions, such as one allowing young adults to stay on their parents’ health plans until age 26. Los Angeles Times et al.
Report: Health Law Boosted Coverage for Young Adults
Between November 2010 and November 2011, about 13.7 million young adults had health insurance coverage through their parents’ plans, according to a Commonwealth Fund study. Of that number, 6.6 million young adults likely would not have been eligible to stay on their parents’ plans if not for a federal health reform law provision allowing them to do so. Reuters.
Slim Majority of Voters Support Compromise Tax Hike Plan, Poll Finds
A recent Field Poll finds that 52% of likely California voters support a compromise tax hike plan by Gov. Brown and supporters of the “Millionaires Tax.” According to the poll, 42% support a rival tax hike plan by civil rights attorney Molly Munger. AP/San Jose Mercury News, Sacramento Bee.