Latest California Healthline Stories
Consortium Seeking Entries for Health Care Technologies
A group of California health care organizations is calling for participants in the Southern California Healthcare Technology Acceleration Program, which is designed to accelerate development of health care technology products at research institutes and universities. The areas of interest for the program include chronic disease management, telehealth, and applications that offer lower cost diagnostic testing or less invasive medical procedures. Health Imaging.
Poll: Public Support Waning for Brown’s Tax Extension Proposal
A poll finds that about half of likely voters support Gov. Brown’s plan to place a tax extension measure on a June ballot, down from two-thirds of likely voters who supported the special election plans in January. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert” et al.
Consumer Watchdog Studies State Insurance Regulators
Consumer Watchdog, a California-based not-for-profit, released a report on state insurance commissioners’ relationships with industry. The report comes ahead of a meeting of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which is expected to discuss legislation that would block insurance agents and brokers from some rules within the federal health reform law. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Report Outlines State’s Achievements in Rolling Out Health Reform Law
California has taken significant strides in implementing the federal health reform law since it was signed one year ago, according to a report by Health Access. The report also highlights proposed bills that could bolster the law in California. Merced Sun-Star, California Watch.
Assembly Panel Provides Initial OK for Bill To Boost Hospital Security
An Assembly committee has given preliminary approval to a bill that aims to tighten hospital security and increase reporting requirements for hospital-based violence. Assembly member Mary Hayashi and the California Nurses Association authored the bill. Los Angeles Times.
Brown Mulling Alternative Ways To Place Tax Measure on Ballot
Gov. Brown is considering a signature drive to place his proposed tax measure before voters in November instead of in June. Brown would not need to secure GOP votes if he used a signature drive to place the measure on the ballot. Sacramento Bee et al.
Opinion: Health Reform Law Helping California’s Women
Provisions in the federal health reform law, enacted one year ago today, “will improve access to care and coverage for California women of all ages,” Jeanne Conry — chair of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for California — writes in a Sacramento Bee opinion piece. Conry continues that “the health care needs of California’s women coupled with the state’s intricate health care landscape mandate that California continue to forge ahead with implementation.” Sacramento Bee.
Blue Shield Foundation Will Provide $9 Million in Grants
The Blue Shield of California Foundation has announced that it will provide more than $9 million in grants during the first quarter to support safety-net services, improve health care access and combat domestic violence. Portions of the funding also will go toward research on the federal health reform law and efforts to help counties update their enrollment systems for programs such as Medi-Cal. San Francisco Business Times.
Public Confusion Persists on Federal Health Reform Law
More than half of U.S. residents still are confused by the federal health reform law, according to the latest monthly survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation. The most confusion stemmed from the overhaul’s individual mandate. The poll also found that 42% of U.S. residents view the overhaul favorably, while 46% percent view it unfavorably. The poll also found that 66% of respondents believe that states should be given flexibility to implement the overhaul and should be able to substitute their own plans if they can provide coverage that is equally comprehensive and affordable. Wall Street Journal‘s “Health Blog,” NPR’s “Shots.”
Reform Law Overcomes Hurdles in Its First Year, but Obstacles Lie Ahead
Since the federal health overhaul passed one year ago, officials have implemented a number of provisions aimed at improving access to care and increasing consumer protections. However, some opponents are seeking to defund or repeal the entire law. NPR’s “Morning Edition” et al.