Latest California Healthline Stories
Sebelius Urges Employers To Extend Coverage Early
Last week, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius called on employers to immediately extend coverage to employees’ children up to age 26. The new health reform law will require employers to extend coverage to young adults beginning in September or January, depending on the health plan’s schedule. While more than 65 insurance companies have agreed to implement the provision ahead of schedule, few employers have adopted the measure thus far. New York Times.
Anti-Seizure Bill Stalls in Senate Appropriations Panel
A bill (SB 1051), by Sen. Bob Huff that would have allowed nonmedical school employees to administer a drug to children with epilepsy in emergencies died in the Senate Appropriations Committee Thursday. The state PTA, the California Teachers Association and the California Nurses Association opposed the bill, while Disability Rights California and groups representing people with epilepsy supported the bill. Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Steinberg’s Plan Would Shift Elder Care, Other Programs to Counties
Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg has proposed transferring responsibility for elder care, children’s services and other programs to the county level. The state would still provide a major portion of the programs’ funding. Sacramento Bee, AP/Ventura County Star.
25% of Patients Readmitted to Hospitals, AHRQ Reports
More than 25% of all hospital patients return to the hospital within two years of their first visit for the same condition, according to a study by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Readmission was the highest among poor patients and those enrolled in either Medicaid or Medicare. The study follows similar research by the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development showing that one-third of patients hospitalized in the state are readmitted within one year. Sacramento Bee.
Health, Length of Life Vary by Area in San Joaquin Valley
Preliminary research from the Central Valley Health Policy Institute finds that health and length of life varies depending on where you live in San Joaquin Valley. Researchers found that residents living in the poorest areas and areas with high concentrations of minorities had the shortest length of life. They also found that low-income, older, predominately black areas had the most preventable hospitalizations. Fresno Bee.
Republicans Introduce Bill To Repeal, Replace Health Reform Law
Yesterday, Republican leaders in the House introduced a bill that would repeal and replace the new health reform law with an alternative reform plan proposed by the GOP in November 2009. The measure is co-sponsored by 20 Republican lawmakers. The Hill, St. Louis Post Dispatch‘s “Political Fix.”
House Dems Make More Cuts to ‘Extenders’ Bill; Vote Planned for Friday
After failing to reach a compromise on the so-called “extenders” package — which would extend unemployment benefits and delay a scheduled cut to physicians’ Medicare payments — House Democrats agreed to cut about $31 million more from the $145 billion measure. CQ Today et al.
Judge: Visalia Not Obligated To Cover Retiree Health Care
Tulare County Judge Patrick O’Hara sided with the city of Visalia over whether it was required to fully cover health insurance to retired city employees. The retirees had argued that the city had promised to cover their health insurance, yet they pay $211 monthly for insurance, plus extra for spouses. The retirees could appeal the decision to the 5th District Court of Appeal. Fresno Bee.
Senate Targets Childhood Obesity With Ban on Sports Drinks in Schools
Yesterday, the state Senate approved a bill that aims to reduce childhood obesity by prohibiting the sale of sugar-sweetened sports drinks in public middle and high schools. The bill, by Sen. Alex Padilla, was sponsored by Gov. Schwarzenegger. Ventura County Star, Office of the Governor release.
Gov.’s Revised Budget Plan Would Hurt Jobs, Economy, Study Finds
A study from UC-Berkeley’s Center for Labor Research and Education estimates that Gov. Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget would lead to the loss of 331,000 full-time jobs, as well as more than $36 billion in lost economic output and $1.9 billion in lost local and state tax revenue. San Francisco Chronicle et al.