Latest California Healthline Stories
Report: Biotechnology, Medical Device Firms Faring Well in Calif.
The recession did not stop California’s biotechnology and medical device firms from employing more workers and marketing more products in 2009, according to a new report. The report also advocated state tax policies that would help keep biotech operations in California. San Francisco Chronicle.
Kaiser Alerts Northern California Members of Data Breach Last Month
Kaiser Permanente is informing more than 15,000 members in Northern California that an external computer drive containing their personal information was stolen from a Kaiser employee’s car last month. The breach comes after Kaiser was fined last year under new state privacy laws. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
California Scores an ‘F’ on 2009 Tobacco Control Report
Like the nation as a whole, California received an ‘F’ on the American Lung Association’s annual report card assessing how well tobacco control efforts line up with health guidelines issued by CDC and other organizations. No state in the nation received an ‘A.’ Ventura County Star.
Pelosi, Labor Leaders Reportedly Reach Deal Over Excise Tax Plan
Media reports indicate that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and leaders of three major labor unions have reached an agreement that would exclude collectively bargained health plans from a proposed excise tax on high-cost health plans. The tax proposal is in the Senate reform bill. CongressDaily et al.
Dole Criticizes Reform Bills’ Cuts to Medicare Advantage
Former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole argues that the Democrats’ health care reform plans will “reduce the health care services” provided to 10.2 million Americans who are enrolled in Medicare Advantage programs and urges lawmakers to be mindful of “unintended consequences” as they craft their legislation. Wall Street Journal.
White House in Talks To Help States With Costs of Health Care Reform
White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said President Obama is considering strategies to help states with the cost of elements of health care overhaul legislation. Gov. Schwarzenegger is arguing that current proposals in the bills would hit California with billions of dollars in new costs. Reuters et al.
Cardiologists Sue To Block Medicare Cuts for Imaging
Yesterday, a Florida court held a hearing in the American College of Cardiology’s lawsuit to block cuts to Medicare reimbursements for imaging tests that measure heart damage and stress. Ventura County cardiologists supporting the effort say that if the cuts are allowed to stand, fewer cardiologists will participate in Medicare. Ventura County Star.
California Congressional Democrats Critical of Interstate Health Plans
California Democrat Jackie Speier and other Democratic members of the state’s congressional delegation say provisions of reform bills that would let insurers sell health plans across state lines will weaken state consumer protection laws. KQED’s “The California Report.”
Legislators Cool to Governor’s Campaign for Federal Funding Hike
Next week, Gov. Schwarzenegger is scheduled to lobby federal officials to send more funds to California, but Democratic state lawmakers might shy away from meetings with the governor in part because of his recent criticism of health care reform legislation before Congress. Los Angeles Times et al.
Text Messaging, Social Media Tapped for H1N1 Flu Prevention in Calif.
Californians now can send text messages to receive information about vaccinations for H1N1 influenza. The state Department of Public Health is leveraging the text message campaign and other social media platforms in an effort to reach the younger generation. Sacramento Bee.