Latest California Healthline Stories
Californians, Community Clinics Feeling the Sting of Recent Medi-Cal Cuts
People enrolled in Medi-Cal can no longer receive optional benefits such as dental or vision coverage because of recent state budget cuts. The cuts have prompted many not-for-profit community clinics to lay off employees or enact longer wait times. Orange County Register.
California Hospital Association Lobbying for Seismic Delay
The California Hospital Association is lobbying state lawmakers for a delayed deadline for hospitals to comply with state seismic safety rules. CHA’s effort is independent of a push for a delay by a coalition of at least eight major hospital chains in California. San Francisco Business Times.
President Declares Emergency To Ease Hospital Response to H1N1
Administration officials said President Obama’s emergency declaration is intended to make it easier for hospitals to deal with an influx of patients by waiving some federal rules. The move coincides with a lag in the availability of vaccine for the H1N1 flu strain, but administration officials said the declaration was not related to the current vaccine shortage. Washington Post et al.
Stimulus Grant Helps Expand Care for Brain Injury Patients
On Thursday, the Central Coast Center for Independent Living announced that it will receive almost $500,000 from the federal economic stimulus package to expand programs for people with traumatic brain injuries. The funds will be used to develop a strategy for expanding services for TBI patients, rather than for direct patient care. Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Reform Proposals Could Affect Health Access for Undocumented Residents
The October edition of KQED’s “Health Dialogues” includes segments about community clinics, health care for farm workers, H1N1 influenza, immigration reform proposals and the potential impact of extending health coverage to undocumented populations. KQED’s “Health Dialogues.”
Obama Touts Benefits of Health Care Reform for Small Businesses
In his weekly address, President Obama said Democratic health care reform proposals would make it easier and more affordable for small businesses to offer health benefits to workers. The Republican response asserted that Democrats’ plans would increase premiums and taxes. The Hill et al.
Editorial Urges Support for Individual Coverage Mandate
Democratic members of Congress “need to stand by the individual mandate” in health care reform proposals and aim to bring more young people into the health insurance system to help hold down costs for all Americans, an editorial states. Sacramento Bee.
Feinstein Backs Public Option, Repeal of Antitrust Exemption
In a statement Friday, Sen. Dianne Feinstein voiced strong support for including a government-run health plan as part of health care reform legislation and came out in favor of repealing health insurers’ exemptions to federal antitrust regulations. San Francisco Chronicle.
Annual Report Finds No Improvement in Quality of Health Care Plans
The National Committee for Quality Assurance’s annual report indicated that the quality of commercial health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid programs is not improving. The report also found wide geographic variations in the quality of care. CQ HealthBeat.
CalPERS-Backed Firm Invests in Improving Health Care Efficiency
David Brailer, head of the equity firm Health Evolution Partners, said he plans to invest $150 million to $200 million per year in companies that are working to make the health care industry more cost-effective. CalPERS has invested up to $1 billion in Brailer’s firm. Bloomberg.