Latest California Healthline Stories
Editorial: Legislature Fails at ‘Most Basic Responsibility’
The California Legislature “adjourned in shame early Wednesday, … leaving far too much of the people’s business unfinished” and falling short of its “most basic responsibility — to pass a budget,” a San Francisco Chronicle editorial states. The editorial adds that “lawmakers’ inaction on other matters” means that “children will be eating food from cans and bottles containing the chemical bisphenol-A” and that “[h]ealth insurers can keep driving up rates.” San Francisco Chronicle.
Recently Approved Bills Would Bring Changes to Calif. Hospital Industry
Before the end of the legislative session, lawmakers passed a bill to create a structure for a hospital fee to draw down federal Medi-Cal funds and another bill that relates to lease agreements between hospital operators and districts. Payers & Providers.
Health Spending Growth Slows During Recession, According to Analysis
A recent USA Today analysis finds that spending by U.S. residents on medical care during the first half of 2010 grew at a rate of 2.7% per person, the slowest annual rate in 50 years. Experts attribute the slower growth rate to the effects of the recession. USA Today.
Groups To Extend Homeless Patient Placement Program
Next month, the National Health Foundation and the Illumination Foundation will expand to Los Angeles County a program that places homeless patients discharged from hospitals into recuperative care “pods.” The program has been successful in Orange County and will receive a $50,000 grant from Kaiser Permanente. Officials also expect to receive $100,000 in funding from the California Endowment. Payers & Providers.
Study Details Strategies for Reducing Deficit of San Diego Health Benefit
A new study by Buck Consultants shows how much the city of San Diego and taxpayers could save by making substantial changes to the city’s health care benefit for retired workers. The current deficit for the benefit stands at $1.36 billion. San Diego Union-Tribune.
UCLA Study Finds Rising Levels of Obesity, Diabetes in California
The study finds that the majority of California adults are either overweight or obese, and that nearly 8% of adult residents have diabetes. Researchers noted that both obesity and diabetes rates have risen since 2001. HealthLeaders Media et al.
Court Rejects Florida’s Ballot Measure Against Reform Law
On Tuesday, the Florida Supreme Court ruled against a state ballot initiative challenging the individual mandate in the federal health reform law, voting 5-2 to exclude the referendum from the November ballot. In their ruling, the justices said that the proposed initiative contained “misleading and ambiguous language,” adding, “Currently our only recourse is to strike the proposed constitutional amendment from the ballot.” Christian Science Monitor.
Stimulus Funding for Certain Research Projects Nears End
The 2009 economic stimulus package provided NIH with more than $8 billion to fund biomedical research, but that program will stop at the end of September. NIH’s yearly grant budget may drop by 15%, and scientists and university officials are concerned that some research programs will be affected. Bloomberg/San Francisco Chronicle.
LAO Says Governor’s Tax Plan Could Affect Middle Class
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s tax adjustment plan likely would cause lower- and middle-class residents to pay higher fees, according to an initial review from the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office. Aaron McLear, a spokesperson for the governor, said Schwarzenegger opposes any tax proposal that would raise costs for any income level. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
UnitedHealth Group To Offer Health IT Loans for State’s Rural Hospitals
The insurer plans to invest $10 million to help California’s rural hospitals adopt electronic health records. UnitedHealth Group would provide the loan funds by purchasing a bond offering by selected hospitals. San Francisco Business Times, Sacramento Bee.