Latest California Healthline Stories
Editorial Supports Newsom’s Planned Veto of Alcohol Fee
A San Francisco Chronicle editorial supports San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom’s “promised veto” of a proposal by the Board of Supervisors to impose an alcohol fee that would help cover health costs and services related to alcohol misuse. The editorial concludes that Newsom’s “reasons are sensible: A much-taxed industry doesn’t need another burden at an economic low point. He’s right and his veto should be the last word.” San Francisco Chronicle.
HHS Grants Aim To Bolster Wellness Projects in 9 States
This week, HHS awarded grants totaling $31 million to nine states for prevention and wellness programs to reduce obesity and smoking, increase physical activity and boost nutrition. As part of the grant awards, Santa Clara County’s Public Health Department received $3.6 million for obesity prevention efforts. Funding for the grants was included in the federal health reform law. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Census Data Show Big Uptick in Uninsured U.S., Calif. Residents
Last year, the number of uninsured U.S. residents rose by the largest yearly increase in more than two decades, according to Census Bureau data. The number of uninsured Californians swelled to 20% in 2009, up from 18.6% in 2008. Wall Street Journal et al.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of September 17, 2010
Yesterday, UC Regents voted to approve construction of a new $1.52 billion hospital at UC-San Francisco’s Mission Bay campus. Meanwhile, CMS recently informed Arrowhead Regional Medical Center that the facility no longer is at risk of losing Medicare reimbursements.
Schwarzenegger Mulls Action on Cord Blood Legislation
The California Legislature sent a bill to Gov. Schwarzenegger that would set up a system to let parents donate umbilical cord blood at no cost. Collection of the cord blood largely would be funded by a $2 increase for certified birth certificates. Supports say the measure is key to boosting cord-blood supplies, but the state Department of Public Health and the not-for-profit Child Abuse Prevention Center oppose the measure because of the increase in birth certificate fees. Sacramento Bee.
Editorial Stumps for Approval of Medical Parole Legislation
A Sacramento Bee editorial argues that Gov. Schwarzenegger should sign a bill, by Sen. Mark Leno, that “would grant medical parole to inmates who are permanently medically incapacitated and unable to perform the basic activities of daily life.” The editorial adds, “Caring for and guarding severely incapacitated felons costs the state tens of millions of dollars a year, money California cannot afford to waste.” Sacramento Bee.
State Data Shows Calif. Approaching Record for Whooping Cough Cases
California’s Department of Public Health has released information showing that the state has reported 4,017 whooping cough cases this year, the most since 1955. All nine whooping cough-related deaths this year have been among infants. Los Angeles Times et al.
Insurers’ Revenue From Premiums Increased by 7% in 2009, NAIC Says
A new report from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners finds that U.S. health insurers collected 7% more revenue from premiums in 2009 than in 2008. The organization also found that the percentage of premiums spent on medical costs increased last year. Reuters.
HealthNow Nabs Contract for California’s High-Risk Pool
This week, HealthNow New York announced that its Administrative Services division has received a contract to provide third-party administrative services for California’s high-risk health insurance pool, which was created under the federal health reform law. HealthNow said it plans to add 80 employees to its offices in Pennsylvania in California over the next few years. Business First of Buffalo.
UC Regents OK Hike in Pension Contributions, Hospital Executive’s Pay
Recently approved changes will increase the amount that employees and the university system contribute to workers’ pensions and retirement health plans. The Board of Regents also boosted the salary of UCLA’s hospital chief to $1.3 million. Los Angeles Times et al.