Latest California Healthline Stories
Calif. Lawmakers Mull Action on Sugar-Sweetened Drinks
On Thursday, members of the state Senate Select Committee on Obesity and Diabetes and the Senate Health Committee heard testimony about sugar-sweetened soft drinks, as the lawmakers consider legislation to address rising obesity rates. Select Committee Chair Alex Padilla said that lawmakers wanted to hear ideas from experts on the issue but that they do not yet have a plan moving forward. Los Angeles Times‘ “Booster Shots.”
California School Tests New System on Reporting Illness
An elementary school in 4S Ranch is using an NIH grant for a program that lets parents report their kids’ symptoms when they are absent from school because of illness. The system compiles the data electronically and shares the information with public health officials. Use of the system could be expanded if the $S Ranch project is successful. San Diego Union-Tribune.
State Officials Defend Plans To Distribute H1N1 Vaccine
On Thursday, California public health officials defended the state’s decision to distribute to certain private providers, including Kaiser Permanente, the H1N1 influenza vaccine. Gil Chavez, an epidemiologist for the state Department of Public Health, said that state officials chose the private providers because they treated more patients in priority groups, including pregnant women, children and people with chronic health conditions. However, state officials acknowledged that they may not be able to vaccinate some people in the at-risk groups by the end of December. Los Angeles Times.
San Francisco Hotel Workers Strike Over Health Benefits
On Thursday, about 300 employees of San Francisco’s Grand Hyatt hotel represented by Unite Here Local 2 launched a three-day strike. The central issue in negotiations between the hotel and the union is the rising cost of health benefits and how to split those costs between the hotels and the employees. Union President Mike Casey said that employees of other hotels in the city would begin striking unless negotiators reach a deal on the health benefits. San Francisco Chronicle.
House Reform Measure Won’t Limit Exchanges Based on Citizenship
Yesterday, House Democratic leaders announced that their health care reform legislation will not bar undocumented immigrants from buying coverage through health insurance exchanges. President Obama supports specifically excluding undocumented immigrants from the exchanges. CQ Today et al.
Republican Lawmakers Rally Opposition to House Reform Proposal
Thousands of protestors rallied in front of the U.S. Capitol yesterday to show their opposition to the Democratic health care reform proposal slated to go up for a vote in the House tomorrow. Republican members of Congress urged the crowd to help them defeat the bill. Washington Post et al.
House Leaders Busy Building Coalition To Pass Reform Bill
Democratic leaders in the House are working to secure the 218 votes needed to approve the chamber’s reform measure when it comes up for a vote Saturday. Democratic leaders are hoping endorsements from AARP and the American Medical Association will boost the bill’s prospects. New York Times et al.
Physician Survey Points to Problems With Cost of Health Care in U.S.
American doctors participating in an international survey said that cost and affordability are the most significant problems in the U.S. health care system, problems that were less common among physicians from 11 other countries. Reuters.
Vote on House Health Reform Bill Expected To Come Saturday
House Democrats are ironing out last-minute compromises on coverage for abortion services and coverage options for undocumented immigrants so that they can bring the chamber’s reform bill to a vote Saturday evening. Democratic leaders said they are confident they will secure the votes needed to pass the legislation before Saturday night. Washington Post et al.
British Health Chief Discusses Reform Lessons from U.K.
U.K. Health Secretary Andy Burnham said that his country’s experience with comparative effectiveness could offer lessons for the U.S. as Congress considers proposals for health care reform, while the U.S. system could provide examples for how the U.K. could improve access to diagnostic technology. PBS’ “Online NewsHour.”