Latest California Healthline Stories
Columnist Urges Obama To Take Lead on Health Reform
“President Obama could show a little more spine when it comes to health care reform,” Los Angeles Times columnist David Lazarus writes. According to Lazarus, Obama “has backed off from a ‘public option’ for people who don’t receive coverage from their employer [and] has apparently decided to avoid a bruising fight over how much coverage insurance companies should provide, and at what price, when so-called online exchanges open for business in 2014.” Lazarus writes, “It’s clear that Obama is trying hard to salvage some semblance of health care reform in the face of unrelenting criticism from his political opponents, [but] settling for ‘good enough’ isn’t good enough.” Los Angeles Times.
Rallies Held To Protest $2.5B in Proposed Health Care Cuts
On Tuesday, advocates held rallies in at least four cities to protest the $2.5 billion in planned state health and social service spending cuts included in Gov. Brown’s new $92.6 billion budget proposal for fiscal year 2012-2013. The protesters said the proposed spending cuts would harm many of California’s vulnerable residents, particularly the elderly, children and individuals with disabilities. The protesters called on Brown to increase state taxes on wealthy residents and companies to help bridge a projected $9.2 billion deficit. Contra Costa Times, Fresno Bee.
L.A. Gives Preliminary OK to Adult Film Condom Mandate
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles City Council voted 11-1 to give preliminary approval to an ordinance that would require adult film producers to provide and require actors to wear condoms during filming in order to receive permits to film in the city. Last month, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation collected more than 70,000 signatures to qualify such a proposal for a June ballot. The council’s ordinance would supersede a June election on the measure, which would have cost the city more than $4 million. The council will vote next week on final approval of the measure. If approved, the ordinance would be the first of its kind in the U.S. Los Angeles Times, AP/Washington Post.
States Argue That Health Reform Law’s Medicaid Expansion Is Coercive
Yesterday, 26 states filed a brief with the Supreme Court in the multistate lawsuit challenging the federal health reform law. The brief argues that the reform law’s expansion of Medicaid forces states to participate in the program. Politico, The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Survey Finds Biomedical Firms Delaying Research, Seeking Funding Options
A new survey finds that many California biomedical firms are delaying projects as they encounter difficulty in obtaining funding. Some firms say they might consider corporate partnerships. San Jose Mercury News, Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal.
Sustainable Urban Plans Might Harm Health in Bay Area, Study Finds
An analysis by the Pacific Institute and air quality advocates says that a state mandate to promote environmentally sustainable communities could negatively affect the health of San Francisco Bay Area residents. The analysis has led to pushback from developers. California Watch.
Some States Adopting ACO Model for Medicaid Programs
A number of states are attempting to control health care spending growth by implementing Medicaid initiatives similar to accountable care organizations. Although federal and state officials do not have exact figures on how many states are experimenting with such initiatives, 13 states have submitted Medicaid amendments for medical homes to CMS, and four have received approval so far. States are taking approaches that include shared savings programs and offering bonus payments for improving patient outcomes. Modern Healthcare.
Controller: State Revenues Still Lagging Behind Budget Estimates
State Controller John Chiang reports that California’s December revenues fell $1.4 billion below budget estimates and that legislative action might be needed to ensure the state can meet payment obligations. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert” et al.
U.S. Rep. Herger of California To Retire After 13 Terms
On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Wally Herger announced that he will not seek re-election when his 13th term in Congress ends at the end of this year. Herger, 66, who represents the 2nd congressional district in northern California, said he was retiring from politics to spend more time with his family. He also noted some of his accomplishments in Congress and his role as a “leading opponent of Obamacare.” House Ways and Means Committee Chair Dave Camp praised Herger for his leadership in the GOP’s opposition to the federal health reform law “while also pursuing efforts to protect and strengthen Medicare for the future.” Herger has endorsed state Sen. Doug LaMalfa to succeed him. Modern Healthcare, AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
CBO: Raising Medicare Eligibility Age Would Save $148B Over Decade
A new Congressional Budget Office report estimates that gradually raising Medicare’s eligibility age from 65 to 67 would save the federal government about $148 billion over a decade. The savings would come in part by shifting costs to seniors. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.