Latest California Healthline Stories
Kehoe Shelves Bill To Expand Early-Term Abortion Access
After failing to secure a tie-breaking vote in the Senate Business Professional and Economic Development Committee, Sen. Christine Kehoe on Friday shelved legislation that would have allowed a limited number of non-physicians to perform an early-term abortion procedure. Kehoe indicated that she might pursue the issue through other avenues. U-T San Diego.
Group Submits Signatures for Out-of-State Business Tax Plan
An environmental group led by hedge fund manager Tom Steyer has submitted more than 900,000 signatures to qualify for the November ballot a measure that would increase taxes on out-of-state businesses. The measure would raise about $1 billion annually for schools and green building projects. Proponents of two other tax hike proposals said they also have collected enough signatures to place their initiatives on the November ballot. Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
NIH Project Encourages Researchers To Find New Uses for Old Drugs
NIH has announced an initiative that seeks to find new uses for old drugs that did not adequately treat one disease but might be effective for another. For the program, drugmakers will provide about 20 compounds to biomedical researchers. AP/San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Obama Administration Keeps Up Promotion of Health Care Overhaul
While Republicans continue to criticize the federal health reform law, the Obama administration has released a steady stream of information touting the law’s benefits. The strategy aims to help U.S. residents better understand how the law works. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of May 4, 2012
This week, about 4,500 nurses went on strike at seven Sutter Health hospitals in the San Francisco Bay Area in response to proposals made by Sutter during contract negotiations. Stanford Hospital & Clinics has agreed to a three-year HMO and PPO contract with Blue Shield of California.
Editorial Urges Munger To Drop Tax Hike Proposal
A Los Angeles Times editorial argues that having two tax hike proposals on the November ballot “would make it less likely that voters would approve either one.” It adds, “That might delight anti-tax activists, but it’s a worst-case scenario for public schools, universities, courts and the state’s tattered safety net.” The editorial concludes that a compromise tax hike proposal developed by Gov. Brown and supporters of the “Millionaires Tax” “is a better fit for the state’s needs today” and that attorney Molly Munger, who is pushing a competing tax plan, “should stand down.” Los Angeles Times.
Backers of Munger’s Tax Plan Begin Submitting Signatures
On Wednesday, supporters of a tax hike proposal by civil rights attorney Molly Munger said they were delivering 241,049 voter signatures to elections officials in Los Angeles County. Roughly 504,000 valid signatures are required to qualify the measure for the November ballot, but supporters of Munger’s proposal hope to provide a total of 775,000 voter signatures. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Health Net Expands Low-Cost HMO Plan to Orange County
Insurer Health Net has expanded its low-cost HMO SmartCare into Orange County one year after it launched the plan in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and San Diego counties. The plan provides a 25% discount on premiums compared with a full insurance network. Health Net has contracted with nine health care provider groups in Orange County. Payers & Providers.
GOP Declares Opposition to Gov. Brown’s Compromise Tax Plan
California GOP leaders have voiced opposition to a compromise tax plan by Gov. Brown and backers of the “Millionaires Tax.” Republicans say it would drive businesses and residents out of the state. Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Bee’s “Capitol Alert.”
State Assembly Passes Bill To Extend Mental Health Law Until 2017
The Assembly has passed a bill that would extend until 2017 Laura’s Law, which allows court-ordered treatment for certain residents with mental health conditions. However, some lawmakers say that compulsory treatment is counterproductive. AP/U-T San Diego.