Latest California Healthline Stories
Worries About Kids’ Insurance Swarm Around Health Reform
Provisions in health care reform proposals that would shift kids currently enrolled in the Children’s Health Insurance Program to plans available through newly created health insurance exchanges are sparking resistance from CHIP supporters who say families would pay more for coverage through exchanges. Kaiser Health News.
Reid Releases Senate Health Care Reform Bill, CBO Cost Estimate
Yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid released a health care reform proposal that includes elements of bills approved by two Senate committees. The Congressional Budget Office said the bill would cost $848 billion over 10 years and reduce the deficit in the long run. Washington Post et al.
Democrats Seek Investigation of Rising Prescription Prices
On Wednesday, congressional Democrats requested two separate investigations into drug industry pricing, in response to a recent report that found unusually high wholesale price increases this year. The price increases have prompted some officials to believe the industry is increasing prices before facing possible cost containment under a health overhaul. New York Times.
CDC Says Los Angeles Tops List for Syphilis, Chlamydia
The Los Angeles area reported more cases of syphilis and chlamydia than any other U.S. metropolitan area, according to annual figures CDC released this week. The announcement comes as the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health works its way through staffing and budget cuts, including to efforts targeted at sexually transmitted infections. Contra Costa Times.
Exams for Abused, Neglected Kids Harder To Come By
A special program at UC-Davis Medical Center has significantly cut back a program that provides medical exams to neglected or abused children because of a breakdown in its relationship with Sacramento County. UC-Davis officials say the facility cannot count on the county to meet its obligations for the program or make payments in a timely manner. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
House Reform Provision Would Target Medicare Rate Inequities in Calif.
California Democrat Sam Farr authored a provision in the House health reform bill that would increase Medicare payments for certain California counties designated as rural. Some lawmakers have criticized the provision for only targeting California. Los Angeles Times, Fresno Bee.
California Ranks in the Middle of the Pack for National Health Scores
New nationwide rankings rate California as the 23rd healthiest state in the nation. Although California fared well for obesity and tobacco consumption, it scored lower for infectious diseases and insurance coverage. San Francisco Business Times, Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
L.A. County OKs Health Efforts To Nab Stimulus Funds
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved health initiatives including community gardens and bike paths as part of an effort to win more money from the federal economic stimulus package. The board did not approve tighter restrictions on sugar-sweetened drinks, but supporters say they will resurrect the proposal. Los Angeles Times.
Army Suicides on Pace for Record High, General Says
On Tuesday, Gen. Peter Chiarelli, vice chief of staff for the Army, announced that Army suicides will hit an all-time high in 2009, underscoring questions about the military’s mental health system and capacity to address stress. Chiarelli said that the Army faces a shortage of about 800 behavioral health specialists. Reuters, Washington Post.
Analyst: Failed Prior Projections Bring Calif. Budget Gap to $21B
Today, Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor is expected to release a report finding that California’s projected budget deficit has grown to $21 billion. The report suggests that a July budget revision package overestimated federal contributions to Medi-Cal and assumed the state would succeed in selling the State Compensation Insurance Fund this year. Sacramento Bee, Los Angeles Times.