Latest California Healthline Stories
Gov. Renews Push for Funding in Response to President’s Budget
Yesterday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger sent a letter asking California’s congressional delegation to help the state secure $6.9 billion in extra federal funding. The governor wrote that President Obama’s latest budget, which would provide $1.5 billion of that request, “represents only a down payment on what we are owed.” Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert,” Office of the Governor release.
Providers Say More People Hit Obstacles for Dental Care
Dental clinics and other dental care providers say the state’s elimination of dental coverage under Medi-Cal has pushed many Californians to go without dental services. Lobbyists say dental benefits likely will not be restored in the near future. KQED’s “The California Report.”
Report Offers Mixed Outlook for Calif. Biomedical Industry
A new report from the California Healthcare Institute and PricewaterhouseCoopers indicates that the biomedical industry continues to add jobs in California, although a significant number of firms expect to expand their manufacturing and research and development activities outside of the state. San Francisco Business Times.
Rural Health Care Spending Down in President’s Budget
President Obama’s fiscal year 2011 budget proposal calls for an overall decrease in funding for rural health care initiatives, principally because two high-cost efforts are ending this year. Meanwhile, Obama’s budget increases funding for American Indian and Alaska Native health care services, while holding funding flat for rural telemedicine and other initiatives. HealthLeaders Media.
Medicare Advantage Business Drives Up Humana Earnings
On Monday, Humana announced that its fourth-quarter earnings increased by 44%, partly because of increased membership in its Medicare Advantage plans. Humana is the country’s second-largest provider of MA plans. Wall Street Journal.
Obama Keeps Up Push for Health Care Reform at New Hampshire Event
The central message from President Obama’s appearance in New Hampshire yesterday was a new job creation program, but he also said that he remains committed to getting health care reform legislation through Congress. New York Times et al.
Physician Groups Sue To Require Supervision of Nurse Anesthetists
The California Medical Association and the California Society of Anesthesiologists are suing Gov. Schwarzenegger for failing to consult with state licensing agencies before allowing nurse anesthetists to administer anesthesia without physician supervision. HealthLeaders Media.
Pay-Go Approval Could Pave Way to Medicare Physician Payment Fix
Last week, the Senate approved pay-as-you-go rules but exempted from the legislation $82 billion in funding that could go to offset scheduled payment reductions for Medicare physicians for five years. Congress would have to authorize the funding to avert the pay cuts, the first of which kicks in March 1. Politico et al.
California’s Single-Payer Scheme Among Several State Health Proposals
A recent proposal to create a single-payer health care system in California is one of several state efforts nationwide to expand coverage to more residents. Proponents of SB 810 say the measure could help set the stage for a future ballot initiative. Wall Street Journal, Contra Costa Times.
Columnist: California Health Care Union Battle Gets Ugly
HealthLeaders Media columnist John Commins writes that the health care union fight in California between the Service Employees International Union and the upstart National Union of Healthcare Workers reflects badly on the union movement. He asks, “Does it instill public confidence and support for the labor movement — particularly in a sector as vital, personal and invasive as health care — when unions accuse each other of corruption and incompetence?” HealthLeaders Media.