Latest California Healthline Stories
CIRM Leader: Collaboration Funds Needed for Research
To fulfill the goal of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to keep the state, its universities and biotechnology companies “on the forefront” of stem cell research, researchers “must create a significantly new approach that will greatly accelerate the timetable” for developing stem cell treatments, argues Art Torres, vice chair of CIRM. According to Torres, the new approach requires “cooperation and collaboration,” including “involvement of the entire spectrum of participants from the beginning” and “funding, enough of it, and with a long-term vision.” Sacramento Bee.
CBO: Republican Reform Plan Cuts Costs, but Wouldn’t Boost Coverage
The Congressional Budget Office said that a Republican alternative to health care reform legislation crafted by Democrats would reduce health insurance premiums but would not greatly reduce the number of uninsured Americans. House Republicans said expanding coverage is unaffordable. Los Angeles Times et al.
President Stepping Up Reform Meetings With Congressional Democrats
President Obama is meeting with Democrats in the House and Senate in hopes of boosting support for health care reform legislation. A number of the meetings specifically targeted lawmakers whose support for reform proposals isn’t definite. CQ Today et al.
Health Net Protest on Tricare Contract Upheld by GAO
On Wednesday, Health Net revealed that the U.S. Government Accountability Office has upheld a protest over the insurer’s loss of its contract with Tricare, the military health care program. Health Net currently holds one of three regional contracts with Tricare, worth about $17 billion, but in July Aetna beat out Health Net for a new contract. There is no guarantee that GAO’s ruling will result in Health Net’s retaining its contract. Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Business Journal.
San Bernardino County To Offer Alternative to CalPERS’ Health Fund
San Bernardino County officials are preparing to promote their retiree health care fund as an alternative to the larger CalPERS benefit pool. The county said it plans to market its fund to agencies that have yet to pre-fund their retiree health care obligations. Capitol Weekly.
Some California Health Agencies Shortchanged on H1N1 Vaccine Order
Distribution problems caused at least 25 public health agencies to receive less than the statewide average of 45% of their H1N1 vaccine orders. State officials say they are working to redirect new vaccine shipments to the agencies that received lower shares. Los Angeles Times.
Sebelius Kicks Off Push for Kids’ Health Care Enrollment
On Wednesday, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius launched an effort to enroll eligible children in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Speaking at the National Children’s Health Insurance Summit, Sebelius said providing coverage will help preserve kids’ health. AP/Chicago Tribune.
Opinion: Reform Must Focus on Primary Care Physicians
Although the House and Senate health reform bills could provide coverage to “millions of Americans,” insurance “does not necessarily mean access to health care,” argues Basim Khan, an internal medicine resident at UC-San Francisco. The number of primary care physicians in the U.S. has significantly dropped in the last five decades, but the proposed “reform bills do little to reverse this trend,” Khan writes. Khan concludes, “Congress must prioritize funding for primary care in the final bill,” including expanding training opportunities and offering loan repayment programs. Los Angeles Times.
San Diego County Approves Reforms to IHSS Program
On Tuesday, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a plan to reform the $325 million county In-Home Supportive Services program. Reforms to IHSS include background checks and fingerprinting for IHSS employees. The county’s reform plans are similar to those being made to the program at the state level. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Report Sees Implications for Reform Legislation’s Handling of Immigrants
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are grappling with how to treat undocumented and documented immigrants in health care reform bills. A new report questions whether provisions of the proposals would have unintended economic consequences. CQ HealthBeat et al.