Latest California Healthline Stories
Schwarzenegger Sees Widening Budget Gap in California’s Future
Yesterday, Gov. Schwarzenegger said California’s budget deficit could increase by an additional $5 billion to $7 billion this fiscal year. The growing gap could stem partially from recent court decisions blocking cuts to in-home care and other services. Sacramento Bee.
Concerns About Cost-Containment Hang Over Senate Reform Efforts
Economists, analysts and lawmakers are pushing for the Senate to include provisions that would tackle rising health care costs in its health care reform bill. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is merging legislation approved by two Senate committees. New York Times.
Reid Surveys Senate Democrats About Timing of Reform Debate
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid plans to solicit Democratic colleagues’ thoughts about beginning debate on health care reform legislation next week or waiting until after Thanksgiving. President Obama has called on the Senate to follow the House’s lead and approve a plan to overhaul the health care system this year. Roll Call et al.
Poizner Rejects Workers’ Comp Premium Increases
On Monday, California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner rejected for the second time this year a request by the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau to increase workers’ compensation insurance premiums. Poizner cited the economy and said WCIRB’s request for a 22.8% hike did not include “clear evidence” that such an increase was warranted. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert,” San Francisco Business Times.
Study: Thousands of Vets Die Because They Lack Health Insurance
A new Harvard Medical School study suggests that more than 2,266 veterans died in 2008 because they did not have health insurance coverage. The authors said current health care reform proposals do not go far enough in expanding coverage for veterans. New America Media.
Pollution Causes Problems for Fresno Respiratory Patients
A new study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians found that more patients in Fresno with chronic lung diseases sought hospital treatments when specific air pollution levels were elevated. UPI.
California Officials Offer Varied Views on House Health Care Reform Bill
Reps. Dennis Cardoza and Jim Costa praised provisions of the House reform bill that would bring in extra funds for California. Gov. Schwarzenegger reiterated his support for reform but expressed concern about the costs of expanding Medi-Cal. The Hill‘s “Blog Briefing Room” et al.
Pfizer Spares Research Center in La Jolla in Restructuring
On Monday, drugmaker Pfizer announced a restructuring plan that will close six research facilities and eliminate 2,000 jobs but will bring about few changes at its La Jolla campus. The restructuring plan is coming about as a result of Pfizer’s recent acquisition of Wyeth. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Massachusetts May Switch to Flat Payment to Physicians
Massachusetts is considering becoming the first state to require insurers to use a global payment system, in which physicians would receive a fee — based on a patient’s age and health status — to cover all of the patient’s medical needs instead of receiving payment for each procedure they perform. American Public Media’s “Marketplace.”
Group Stumps for Ballot Measure To Create New Public Pension System
The California Foundation for Fiscal Responsibility has proposed a ballot measure that would require public employers and workers to pre-fund their future retiree health care costs and other benefits. The group is working to collect signatures for the measure. Sacramento Bee.