Latest California Healthline Stories
Health Officials Push To Allow Organ Donation From People With HIV
Federal officials say a provision banning organ donations from individuals with HIV should be removed from the National Organ Transplant Act. CDC is expected to release guidance for research on transplanting HIV-positive organs into HIV-positive people. New York Times.
Demand for Family Planning Services on the Rise in L.A.
As lawmakers in Washington, D.C., consider cutting federal funding for Planned Parenthood, the group’s Los Angeles affiliate is facing a growing demand for reproductive health services. Sue Dunlap, president of Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, said demand for services increased this year by 10% to 15%. Many of the women the clinics serve are enrolled in Medi-Cal or receive care through the state’s family planning program for low-income residents. Los Angeles Times.
Brown Might Seek To Pass Tax Extensions Through Legislature
Gov. Brown says he might encourage the state Legislature to approve his tax extension measure before putting the issue before voters. The governor said he would release an all-cuts budget if voters opt to rescind the taxes. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Legislation Aims To Integrate Long-Term Care Services
A bill working its way through the California Senate seeks to create an integrated system for long-term care services. The legislation, by Sen. Carol Liu, would provide case management and assessment services for individuals who need long-term care but would prefer to remain in their homes. Healthcare Finance News.
Sebelius Taps Mostashari To Be National Health IT Chief
On Friday, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius named Farzad Mostashari as the new national coordinator for health IT, replacing outgoing health IT chief David Blumenthal. Mostashari has served as the deputy national coordinator for programs and policy at the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT since 2009. Prior to that, Mostashari was the assistant commissioner for the New York City Health and Mental Hygiene Department’s primary care information project. Health Data Management, Modern Healthcare.
Editorials Take Opposing Sides on Ryan’s Budget Proposal
According to an Orange County Register editorial, Rep. Paul Ryan’s (D-Wis.) fiscal year 2012 budget proposal — which would introduce Medicare vouchers and turn Medicaid into a block-grant system — “offers a semblance of market sanity to replace entitlement insanity.” It argues that the proposal “deserves a chance, otherwise the nation can await the entitlement system’s certain collapse.” However, a Sacramento Bee editorial argues, “Certainly, Medicare is under financial strain, requiring cost control measures. But it does not need Ryan’s radical transformation.” It continues, “Ryan doesn’t reduce the cost of health care. He simply shifts costs to individuals and the states, while providing a new system of subsidies for the health insurance industry.” Orange County Register, Sacramento Bee.
Obama Eyes Multiyear Budget Plan With Cuts to Entitlement Programs
On Wednesday, President Obama is expected to announce plans to develop a multiyear debt-reduction proposal that would raise revenues and cut entitlement programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid. The proposal will compete with plans offered last week by House Republicans. New York Times et al.
Deal on FY 2011 Budget Package Reached; Gov’t Shutdown Averted
Late Friday night, lawmakers reached a tentative deal on a longer-term fiscal year 2011 budget measure. The package would not defund the health reform law or block federal funding for Planned Parenthood, but the Senate will consider those two issues at a later time. Washington Post et al.
California Health Care Providers Equipped To Form ACOs, Experts Say
Experts say California is well-positioned to create accountable care organizations because several regional health systems have experience with elements of ACOs, such as integrated care and electronic health records. San Francisco Business Times, Payers & Providers.
Bill Would Mandate Coverage of Autism Treatments for Kids
A bill, by Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg, would require health insurers to cover certain early-prevention treatments for children with autism. Steinberg said he anticipates some industry pushback, noting, “We expect some controversy, and that’s OK. (Opponents) will make the argument that the additional mandate will cost the policyholders some additional money.” However, he added, “There’s that old notion of investing a little now to save a lot of money later.” ABC News 10.