Latest California Healthline Stories
HHS Exempts 30 Groups From Reform Law Rule on Health Benefits Cap
HHS has told 30 companies that they can delay for one year a provision under the health reform law that prohibits them from placing a limit on health benefits. The groups had to prove that without the waiver, workers would have lost coverage or paid higher premiums. Bloomberg.
Supervisors Fail To Override Newsom’s Veto on Alcohol Fee
On Tuesday, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors failed by one vote to overturn Mayor Gavin Newsom’s veto of a measure to place a new fee on alcohol wholesalers and distributors. The revenue would have been used to help offset spending on care associated with alcohol misuse. Supervisor John Avalos, who proposed the fee, said he might put the alcohol fee before voters as a ballot measure next year. San Francisco Chronicle‘s “City Insider,” AP/Ventura County Star.
California in Spotlight as it Works Out Details for Health Benefit Exchange
State officials across the country are watching how California sets up an independent board to oversee its new health insurance exchange. Some critics have questioned whether California’s board will have sufficient independence and accountability to the public. Sacramento Bee.
Fresno County Workers Voice Concerns Over Health Costs
Fresno County employees are opposing a proposal that would increase some workers’ share of health care premiums by at least $450 annually. The plan aims to save the county $3 million this year by shifting more insurance costs to employees. Supervisors plan to discuss the proposal at an Oct. 19 meeting. Fresno Bee.
Report: About 3.5M Californians Could Obtain Health Tax Credits
The federal health overhaul includes tax credits to help low- and middle-income residents buy coverage through health insurance exchanges. A new report estimates that about 3.5 million Californians could qualify for the credits. Los Angeles Times, Merced Sun-Star.
Many Voters in Districts With Tight Races Favor Repeal of Reform Law
A majority of voters in competitive districts favor repealing the health reform law, according to a new poll. The findings suggest that first-year House Democrats in such districts may face a declining chance for re-election because of opposition to the overhaul. The Hill, Politico.
New Law Requires Whooping Cough Vaccines for Students
Gov. Schwarzenegger has signed a bill that will require students in junior high and high school in 2011 to receive a booster shot for pertussis, or whooping cough, which has infected more than 4,400 state residents this year. The new law also requires students entering seventh grade to get a whooping cough booster, starting in 2012. “California Watch Blog.”
State Leaders Continue To Stump for Budget Plan as Vote Nears
The governor and lawmakers are working to promote compromises made in the recently reached deal to close the state’s $19 billion budget deficit. The budget deadlock could boost support for a measure to change the legislative vote necessary to pass a budget. Sacramento Bee et al.
California Supreme Court Backs Governor’s Worker Furlough Plan
The state Supreme Court has ruled that furloughs imposed on state workers in 2009 by Gov. Schwarzenegger were legal, saying that the Legislature authorized the furloughs when it approved spending cuts to the budget equal to savings proposed through furloughs. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Insurance Industry Watching Commissioner Race Closely
The insurance industry, as well as employers and labor groups, is keeping a close eye on the race for state insurance commissioner. Industry representatives say they want the next commissioner to get up to speed quickly, respond faster to rate filings and offer more innovative policies. The California Labor Federation has endorsed Assembly member Dave Jones, and Assembly member Mike Villines has nabbed the endorsements of a couple of taxpayer groups. Sacramento Business Journal.