Latest California Healthline Stories
San Francisco Mayor Vetoes Amendment to Health Care Program
San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee has vetoed an amendment to the Healthy San Francisco program that would have changed how employers can recoup unused funds from employee health reimbursement accounts. The issue could be placed before voters. San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco Chronicle.
Democrats’ Deficit Plan Would Cut $500B From Medicare, Medicaid
Yesterday, Democrats on the debt panel proposed a plan to reduce the federal deficit by nearly $3 trillion over a decade through spending cuts and revenue increases. The plan calls for $500 billion in spending reductions targeting Medicare and Medicaid. CQ Today, Roll Call.
UCSF Clinches $6M Award for HIV/AIDS Prevention Effort
On Tuesday, UC-San Francisco announced that the UCSF Center for AIDS Prevention Studies will receive $6 million over four years to lead an HIV/AIDS prevention initiative in seven states. The grants — from the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Special Projects of National Significance Program — will help the UCSF center collaborate with HIV/AIDS prevention efforts in Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin. The project aims to boost access to care, improve health outcomes and reduce HIV-related health disparities. San Francisco Business Times.
Lawmakers Struggle To Offer Alternatives to CLASS Act Program
Following the suspension of the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act, it is unclear how lawmakers will approach long-term care initiatives. Some leaders have proposed creating incentives for individuals to buy long-term care coverage. Politico et al.
Work Begins on $13M Project To Expand W. Berkeley Clinic
Last week, officials at the LifeLong Medical Care clinic in West Berkeley held a ground-breaking ceremony to mark the beginning of construction on a $13 million, three-story expansion. The upgraded facility will add 13 new exam rooms and allow the clinic to serve nearly 10,000 patients annually, up from about 6,000 patients. Officials said about $2 million of the cost of the 18-month project will be covered by donations and the rest by loans. Clinic Director Yolie Gamble said the new facility will allow the clinic to adopt an integrated primary care system that treats patients in a more holistic way. Oakland Tribune.
AstraZeneca Donates $8K to Brown’s Re-Election Campaign
Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca made an $8,000 contribution to Gov. Brown’s re-election campaign two days after he signed a bill to allow children ages 12 and older to obtain preventive treatment for sexually transmitted infections, including the vaccine against human papillomavirus, without parental consent. AstraZeneca has a financial interest in HPV vaccines, but the pharmaceutical firm maintains that the donation was unrelated to Brown’s action on AB 499. Meanwhile, Brown’s office said the contribution was unsolicited. Sacramento Bee.
Survey: Mass. Health Care Costs Key Issue for Residents
A recent Harvard School of Public Health survey commissioned by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation found that 88% of Massachusetts residents want the state government to take stronger steps to address the issue of high health care costs. Thirty-two percent of respondents said the state should take the lead on the issue, compared with 27% who favored insurers and 19% who favored health care providers leading such efforts. However, just 48% are confident the task can be achieved. Survey respondents pointed to drugmakers, health insurers, waste and fraud in the health care system, and individuals with poor personal health behaviors for the rising costs. Boston Globe‘s “White Coat Notes,” Reuters.
UC-Davis, Chinese Firm Team Up on Genetics Research Effort
On Monday, UC-Davis launched a partnership with BGI, a China-based DNA research institute, to build a new laboratory at UC-Davis’ School of Medicine in Sacramento. The new 10,000 square-foot facility will include advanced DNA sequencing technology and equipment for research in medicine, pharmaceuticals and food science. UC-Davis officials heralded the partnership as an opportunity to establish the Sacramento area as a hub for pharmaceutical and agricultural biotechnology firms. Sacramento Bee.
Health Advocates Find Ways To Serve State’s Ethnically Diverse Areas
Health advocates in California are tailoring their services to help residents of ethnic communities navigate the health care system and secure health coverage. The federal health reform law in 2014 will provide incentives to increase the use of health advocates. HealthyCal.
Employers, Insurers Offering Incentives for Healthier Living
More businesses and insurers in California and around the country are offering employees incentives for adopting healthy behaviors and lifestyles. Such incentives are designed to curb rising health care costs. Los Angeles Times.