Latest California Healthline Stories
Feinstein, Obama Push for HHS Authority Over Insurance Rate Hikes
This week, Sen. Dianne Feinstein is expected to introduce legislation that would allow the federal government to review and block premium hikes in California and other states that have limited authority over health insurers. President Obama is backing a similar proposal. San Jose Mercury News et al.
Newsweek Highlights Republican Policy Proposals
Republican members of Congress have taken notably different stances on health care, job creation, the national debt and a number of other issues than Democrats. For health care, Republican proposals aim to scale back regulation of health insurers under the belief that market forces will push insurers to offer more attractive products for consumers. Newsweek.
New York Law Offers Lessons for Health Reform Efforts
State and federal officials could learn a great deal from New York’s earlier efforts to expand health insurance coverage. About 20 years ago, New York passed a law requiring health plans to accept all applicants. However, the state now has some of the highest premiums in the country. Experts say national reform proposals requiring all individuals to purchase insurance coverage could offer solutions for New York and states in similar situations. Los Angeles Times.
Study Finds Increase in Medicare Advantage Rates
Premiums for private Medicare Advantage plans increased by an average of 14.2% in 2010, after an increase of 5.2% in 2009, according to a study released on Friday by Avalere Health. The study found that the average monthly Medicare Advantage premium for 2010 is $39.61, about $5 more than the average premium in 2009. AP/San Diego Union-Tribune.
White House Releases Reform Plan Ahead of Health Summit
This morning, the White House posted President Obama’s proposal to overhaul the U.S. health care system online as part of an effort to frame the discussion at Thursday’s health care summit. White House officials said the plan was written so that it could be passed using the budget reconciliation process. Washington Post et al.
Hayashi Criticizes Board of Pharmacy for Backing Flu Vaccination Measure
Assembly member Mary Hayashi is questioning the California Board of Pharmacy’s support for a bill that would make it easier for pharmacists to offer influenza immunizations. Hayashi has introduced a bill that would limit the board’s ability to sponsor legislation. Sacramento Bee.
Obama Challenges GOP To Offer Reform Ideas at Bipartisan Summit
President Obama is calling for Republican leaders to develop their own health care reform ideas and bring their suggestions to Thursday’s bipartisan summit. Obama also discussed recent health insurance rate hikes during a town-hall meeting in Nevada. Washington Post et al.
Leaders Tie Census Results to S.B. County Health Projects
On Thursday, San Bernardino County leaders urged residents to complete the upcoming U.S. Census to ensure that the count receives all the federal funds it is due for health care and other services. Statistics indicate that the 2000 Census missed more than 40,000 residents of San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of February 19, 2010
The new CEO of Children’s Hospital Oakland told community residents there were no plans to relocate the facility outside of Oakland, and Watsonville Community Hospital marked the anniversary of the federal economic stimulus package by highlighting a new clinic.
Gates Foundation Awards UCSF $1.5M for HIV Research
UC-San Francisco will team up with the Kenya Medical Research Institute and Ibis Reproductive Health to examine whether integrated family planning and HIV treatment and care in Kenya will result in a drop in unintended pregnancies among HIV-positive women. San Francisco Business Times.