Morning Breakouts

Latest California Healthline Stories

Opinion: Single-Payer Model Would Improve on Reform

A recent Census Bureau report finding a significant increase in uninsured U.S. residents “underscores the urgency of going beyond the Obama administration and swiftly implementing a more fundamental reform — a single-payer national health insurance program — improved Medicare for all,” Henry Abrons, member of Physicians for a National Health Program-California, writes in a San Francisco Chronicle opinion piece. He continues that California is considering a single-payer model, adding that the health reform law “allows states to experiment with different models of reform, but not until 2017.” Abrons concludes, “Congress should move that date forward. There is no time to waste.” San Francisco Chronicle.

Editorial: Insurance Exchange Would Set ‘Dangerous’ Model

Insurance exchanges, which are mandated under the federal health reform law, “could be a useful reform,” but California’s planned exchange would set a “dangerous precedent” because a “five-member board of political appointees will pick” participating health plans, a Wall Street Journal editorial writes. The Journal adds that this “‘selective contracting'” will “allow the state to ‘negotiate’ more favorable terms,” resulting in “submarket price controls.” Wall Street Journal.

Poll: Many Americans Think Reform Did Not Do Enough

Many U.S. residents say federal health care reform did not accomplish enough, according to a new Associated Press poll. The poll — conducted by Stanford University and funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation — found that 30% of Americans favor the overhaul, 40% oppose it and 30% remain neutral. Four in 10 poll respondents said that the health reform did not do enough, regardless of their stance on the law. Meanwhile, one in five said that the government has no place being involved in health care. AP/Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Gov. Should Sign Insurance Exchange Bills, Op-Ed Urges

Gov. Schwarzenegger should sign legislation to create California’s insurance exchange, as mandated under the health reform law, because the exchange is a “moderate solution” that “combines a concern for the public good with the power of the private market,” Micah Weinberg — a senior research fellow at the New America Foundation — writes in a San Jose Mercury News opinion piece. Weinberg writes that the exchange would negotiate “with insurance companies for better rates” and allow for “consumer power by simplifying the health insurance market.” San Jose Mercury News.

Health System Deal With DPH Keeps Hospitals in Operation

Universal Health Services — the parent company of Southwest Healthcare System — has reached an agreement with the California Department of Public Health to allow the system’s Rancho Springs Medical Center and Inland Valley Medical Center to keep their operating licenses during an investigation into quality concerns. In 2011, CMS and DPH will conduct a final certification inspection. Riverside Press-Enterprise, Modern Healthcare.