Latest California Healthline Stories
Opinion: Reform Law, Mass. Overhaul ‘Radically Different’
Syndicated columnist Debra Saunders argues that President Obama’s insistence that the federal health reform law was modeled after the Massachusetts health reform law that Mitt Romney signed in 2006 “tells you how unpopular Obamacare is.” She adds that “the philosophies behind the federal plan and the Massachusetts plan are radically different.” According to Saunders, “Romney set out to offer a plan that would address the state’s” uninsured rate “without putting undue burden on state employers,” while the federal reform law “is mandate heaven.” Orange County Register.
Medi-Cal Commission Discusses Concerns With Gold Coast Health Plan
The Ventura County Medi-Cal Managed Care Commission recently discussed complaints about Gold Coast Health Plan, which administers Medi-Cal for county residents. A health care provider at the meeting said the plan is months behind on payments. Ventura County Star.
Poll: Few Respondents Want Supreme Court To Keep Reform Law Intact
Only 25% of respondents to a recent poll said they want the Supreme Court to keep the health reform law intact. However, respondents expressed support for parts of the law, such as the provision requiring insurers to cover people with pre-existing conditions. New York Times et al.
Opinion: ‘Revenue Volatility’ Central to Calif. Budget Woes
Sacramento Bee columnist Dan Walters argues that California’s “revenue volatility” is central to the state’s budget problems and would “worsen” under a compromise tax initiative developed by Gov. Brown and supporters of the “Millionaires Tax.” Walters writes that until revenue volatility is reduced, “either through tax reform or a spending limit,” budget problems will continue. Sacramento Bee.
Justices Unlikely To Defer Ruling on Federal Health Reform Law
During Monday’s oral arguments in the Supreme Court case challenging the federal health reform law, justices appeared to support the idea that they can rule on the law now, rather than defer a decision until the law’s penalties take effect. Los Angeles Times et al.
California Democrats Reject, Stall on Brown’s Proposed Budget Cuts
California Democrats are not taking steps to enact certain cuts in Gov. Brown’s proposed budget plan, including a reduction to CalWORKs, the state’s welfare-to-work program. Assembly Democrats have rejected certain cuts, and Senate Democrats are delaying action. Sacramento Bee.
McConnell Says GOP Deciding Reform Repeal Timeline
Republicans still are discussing whether to push for further votes to repeal the federal health reform law before the November election, according to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. In the GOP weekly address on Saturday, McConnell said that the GOP is “more committed than ever” to repealing and replacing the law with “common-sense reforms.” Modern Healthcare et al.
ACA Case Could Affect Other Laws, Opinion Piece Argues
In a Los Angeles Times opinion piece, Bloomberg columnist and former Times editorial page editor Michael Kinsley warns of the far-reaching implications if the Supreme Court declares the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. He writes that it will not only be the “future of ‘Obamacare’ that will suddenly be shaky,” adding, “Every piece of legislation for about the last 70 years that rested on the [U.S. Constitution’s] commerce clause will suddenly be up for grabs.” Los Angeles Times.
Democrats Target Sacramento Area Voters on Medicare Issue
The future of Medicare has become a leading campaign issue in the Sacramento region as Democrats try to reclaim the 7th Congressional District seat from Republican Rep. Dan Lungren. In recent weeks, Democrats have targeted the district’s swing voters with a series of robocalls highlighting a proposal in the House GOP’s fiscal year 2013 budget blueprint that would alter Medicare. Sacramento Bee.
Telehealth Technology Allows Rural Children To Receive Specialty Care
Adoption of telehealth technology in California has helped children in rural areas receive specialty pediatric care. Experts say families living in remote areas would have to drive for several hours to bring their child to a specialist, making follow-up visits difficult. HealthyCal.