Latest California Healthline Stories
Chamber of Commerce Aims To Shape Health Care Reform Regulations
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce plans to take an active role in helping to shape the implementation of the health care reform law in an effort to limit the law’s effect on businesses. The chamber argued forcefully against the legislation during congressional negotiations. Wall Street Journal.
Appeals Court Halts Order To End Furloughs for Some State Workers
On Tuesday, a San Francisco appeals court temporarily halted a judge’s recent order to end furloughs for state employees who work in departments not primarily funded through the General Fund, such as the California Medical Board. Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Chronicle‘s “Politics Blog.”
Poll: Reform Too Expensive; Government Too Involved
Sixty-five percent of Americans say that the new health reform law is too expensive, while 64% believe it involves the federal government too much in health care, according to a USA Today/Gallup poll of 1,033 adults. The poll, which has a four-percentage-point margin of error, also shows that 51% of Americans believe the law should include more extensive regulation for the health industry. USA Today, Reuters.
Stockton Officials Near Prison Health Facility Decision
Stockton officials will have to decide by April 7 whether to accept the terms of the state’s $700 million plan to build an 1,734-bed inmate medical facility near the city. Stockton Mayor Ann Johnston said she has not received written guarantees on some demands, including that the project will use local labor; however, prison health care receiver J. Clark Kelso said the deal is a “fair offer.” Stockton Record, Tri-Valley Herald.
Health Reform Law’s Generic Provision Gets Mixed Review
A provision in the health care reform law allows biotechnology companies to maintain exclusive ownership of their brand-name drug data for 12 years, after which the information becomes available for other firms to develop less-expensive, generic versions of drugs. Supporters of the provision say it is necessary because it often takes 15 years and costs $1.2 billion to develop such drugs, but critics say it could delay consumer access to critical drugs. San Francisco Chronicle.
Role of Public Hospitals Unclear Under Health Care Reform Law
The health care reform law, which is expected to reduce the uninsured population by 32 million, will cut disproportionate share Medicare payments to public hospitals. The government expects such hospitals to see an increase in income from newly insured patients. San Bernardino Sun.
Thousands Likely To Gain Medi-Cal Coverage in San Joaquin Valley
When Medicaid eligibility is expanded in 2014 under the national health care reform law, San Joaquin Valley likely will experience a surge in Medi-Cal enrollment. The increase is expected to put an even greater strain on the area, which already faces one of the worst physician shortages in the state. Fresno Bee.
Costs for Younger People Will Increase Under Health Law
Health plan premiums for young adults on the individual market will be an average of 17% higher in 2014, when most Americans will be required to have coverage or pay a penalty, according to an Associated Press analysis. While insurers currently can charge older individuals more for insurance, the new health reform law prohibits that practice and, thus insurers will be relying on younger adults to take on more costs. AP/Washington Post.
Obama Signs ‘Corrections Bill,’ Completes Health Reform Efforts
Today, President Obama signed the so-called health reform “corrections” bill into law, completing legislative efforts to overhaul the U.S. health care system. The legislation makes changes to specific provisions in the health reform bill Obama signed last week and also includes reforms to the U.S. student loan system. AP/San Diego Union-Tribune et al.
Rep. Capps Stresses Need for Health Care Reform Law
In a Ventura County Star opinion piece, Rep. Lois Capps argues that the new health care reform law will provide “critical protection” for the insured, expand coverage to 32 million uninsured Americans and cut health care costs. She concludes, “Central Coast residents have made it clear to me that the status quo on health care is not working. This bill makes common-sense reforms to ensure all Americans always have access to affordable, quality care.” Ventura County Star.