Latest California Healthline Stories
California Ushered In Host of New Health Care Laws on Jan. 1
Laws tightening rules on health insurance rescissions and setting new requirements for hospitals to review their security plans are among the health care-related measures that took effect Jan. 1. Another new law is aimed at increasing federal funds for Medi-Cal. Payers & Providers.
Gov. Urges California Leaders To Reject Health Reform Bills
During yesterday’s State of the State address, Gov. Schwarzenegger urged California’s congressional delegation to vote against national health care reform legislation, which he said “has become a trough of bribes, deals and loopholes.” The governor also offered a preview of his budget plan, which is likely to include cuts to health and social services. Los Angeles Times et al.
Obama Meets With House Democrats, Voices Support for Excise Tax
President Obama met with congressional Democratic leaders for a second day this week in hopes of advancing work on health care reform legislation in Congress. The president indicated support for an excise tax on high-value health plans, an idea House Democrats have opposed. Wall Street Journal et al.
Report Gives California Lackluster Grades for Kids’ Health, Oral Health
The advocacy group Children Now gave California a D+ grade for its efforts to provide children’s health care and another D+ grade for providing children’s oral health services. The group attributed the low scores to state cuts in children’s health programs. Payers & Providers.
FDA Drug Approvals Remain Steady From 2008 to 2009
FDA in 2009 approved just as many new medications as it did in 2008, suggesting that new regulations and calls for increased safety have not reduced approval rates, according to new figures by Washington Analysis. AP/Boston Globe.
Research Suggests Ways To Prevent Hospital Infections
Two simple techniques could help hospitals reduce costly hospital-acquired infections, which affect more than 300,000 surgery patients every year, according to a pair of studies published on Thursday in the New England Journal of Medicine. The studies examined how the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus could cause infection after surgery. New York Times.
Opinion: Long-Term Care Insurance in Reform Is a Dud
The Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act in the Senate’s health care reform legislation would create a new program whose costs would come to exceed its revenue, Sally Pipes, president and CEO of the Pacific Research Institute, argues. She disputes projections from the Congressional Budget Office about the price of the long-term care insurance program and maintains that CLASS would require cash infusions from Congress to keep paying out benefits. Orange County Register.
Governor To Declare Emergency Session To Address Budget Gap
Gov. Schwarzenegger is expected to issue an emergency declaration requiring the Legislature to take action on a $6.3 billion budget deficit remaining in the current fiscal year. The emergency session will require lawmakers to act on the governor’s proposals within 45 days or pass their own budget plan. Schwarzenegger is expected to outline his spending proposals by Friday. Capitol Weekly et al.
Obama Meets With Democratic Leaders About Reform Efforts
Yesterday, President Obama spoke with Democratic Senate and House leaders about efforts to reconcile the Senate and House health care overhaul legislation. In addition, the White House did not object to talk of skipping a formal conference committee. Roll Call.
Cost of Proposed Medicaid Expansion Worries Schwarzenegger
Health care reform proposals in Congress call for expanding Medicaid significantly, but Gov. Schwarzenegger and other state leaders aren’t convinced California will be able to pick up its share of the cost once federal funding for the expansion drops off. KQED’s “The California Report.”