Latest California Healthline Stories
Kaiser Study: Many U.S. Kids Are Obese, Extremely Obese
A new study of more than 700,000 Southern California children enrolled in Kaiser Permanente health plans found that 37% of children were overweight, with 20% classified as obese and 6.5% classified as extremely obese. The study was released last week in the Journal of Pediatrics. Los Angeles Times‘ “Booster Shots,” San Jose Mercury News.
Bill Aims To Boost Organ Donors Through New Registry
A new bill (SB 1395), by Sen. Elaine Alquist, would require California driver’s license applicants to answer a question about organ and tissue donation before they can receive their licenses. The bill also would establish a “California Living Donor Registry.” Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), whose office drafted the legislation, joined Alquist and Apple CEO Steve Jobs to unveil the proposal on Friday. San Jose Mercury News et al.
San Diego County Gets $16M To Address Healthy Eating
San Diego County is one of 44 communities around the nation to receive funding from the federal stimulus package to promote healthful eating and physical activity. The $16 million grant, distributed by CDC through its Communities Putting Prevention to Work initiative, will help fund school physicial education programs and increase the number of farmers who accept food stamps. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Senate Subcommittee Rejects Governor’s Plan To Cut Health Programs
Gov. Schwarzenegger has threatened to eliminate In-Home Supportive Services and other health care programs unless California receives an extra $6.9 billion in federal funds. Yesterday, a state Senate subcommittee said it would not support the governor’s proposal. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Tobacco Tax Supporters Set Sights on November Ballot
Organizers of a proposed initiative to increase cigarette taxes by one dollar per pack are working to place their measure on the November ballot. 2010 Oakland mayoral candidate and former Senate President Pro Tempore Don Perata introduced the ballot initiative, which aims to raise revenue for cancer research and protect funding for California’s First 5 early childhood health and education program. Capitol Weekly.
Report: Many Californians Have Chronic Diseases
More than one-third of California adults and about one-sixth of the state’s children have chronic health conditions, which are the leading cause of death and disability, as well as a large factor behind health care costs, according to a new report prepared by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research for the California HealthCare Foundation. CHCF is the publisher of California Healthline. The report, which uses data from 2007, found that half of residents in the Tehama-Glenn-Colusa county area have a chronic disease, while incidence is lowest in Marin County. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Ariz. Drops Kids’ Health Insurance Program Amid Major Budget Pressures
Yesterday, Arizona became the first state to eliminate its Children’s Health Insurance Program when state lawmakers passed a budget package that ended coverage for about 47,000 low-income children. Arizona also is tightening eligibility for its Medicaid program. New York Times.
Va. Attorney General Aims To Challenge Reform Legislation
On Wednesday, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli said the state will file a legal challenge to the constitutionality of the Democratic health care overhaul if Congress passes the reform package. Last week, Virginia passed a bill that aims to prevent the federal government from requiring Virginians to purchase health insurance. Washington Post.
Poll: More Californians Back Obama on Health Reform
Forty-five percent of Californians approve of how President Obama is handling the issue of health care, up from 39% in January, according to the latest Field Poll. Californians are not as positive about Congress’ performance on health care, with 80% saying they disapprove of lawmakers’ actions on the issue. Sacramento Bee.
State Considering Plan To Place UC in Charge of Prison Health System
A plan proposed by a consultant company recommends tasking the University of California with oversight of the state’s prison health care system. The consultant group said the UC partnership eventually could reduce state spending by $1.2 billion annually. Los Angeles Times.