Latest California Healthline Stories
President Touts Health Care Reform as Key to Economic Recovery
President Obama used his weekly address to stump for health care reform, arguing that overhauling the health care system will help along the economic recovery. The Republican response to the address said reform proposals would lead to job losses. AP/Washington Times et al.
Study: Soda Tax Could Raise $10B Annually, Curb Obesity
States with budget concerns, including California, could generate $10 billion annually in revenue by instituting a seven-cents-per-can tax on sugary drinks, according to a Center for Science in the Public Interest study. CSPI also said such a tax would reduce consumption of sugary drinks and help lower the incidence of obesity, diabetes and other chronic illnesses. Los Angeles Times.
Groups Debate San Francisco Effort as Model of Reform
Healthy San Francisco has drawn widespread attention for its efforts to ensure access to health care services for all city residents, but some groups maintain it is simply a repackaging of the city’s clinic system. In addition, supporters warn against overstating the benefits of the program and stress that it does not constitute health insurance. Los Angeles Times.
Passage of Health Care Reform Bill Comes Down to Individual Senators
The Obama administration and Senate leaders are holding one-on-one talks with senators as part of an effort to ensure that health care reform legislation clears the Senate. Two Democratic members of the Senate Finance Committee haven’t pledged to back the bill. Washington Post et al.
Finance Panel Wraps Up Work on Reform Bill; Vote on Tap Next Week
The Senate Finance Committee worked late into the night to complete its markup of legislation to overhaul the U.S. health care system. The committee approved an amendment that would let states form public plans and another aimed at making coverage more affordable. Washington Post et al.
Advocates Sue State Over Cuts to In-Home Supportive Services
Yesterday, advocates filed a lawsuit attempting to prevent the state from ending or reducing services for participants in the In-Home Supportive Services program. The action is the latest in a slew of lawsuits challenging recent state budget cuts. Sacramento Bee et al.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of October 2, 2009
Los Angeles County supervisors approved a $333 million expansion project for the emergency department at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center broke ground on a new hospital wing. Meanwhile, Kaiser opened a new building on its Anaheim campus.
Push for Insurance Exchanges Sparks Debate About Effects
An official at the Seattle-based Group Health Cooperative and a professor who studies health insurance exchanges say HIEs are unlikely to rein in health care costs, although chances are good that broader use of insurance exchanges could boost quality and consumer satisfaction. NPR’s “Morning Edition.”
Insurers Drop Out of Medicare Advantage, Citing New U.S. Rules
CMS officials said about 667,000 Medicare beneficiaries could be affected by many insurers’ decisions to end their private fee-for-service Medicare Advantage plans when new federal rules take effect in 2011. The rules require insurers to establish provider networks. Wall Street Journal, CQ HealthBeat.
Editorial Urges Governor To Veto Health Care, Other Bills
A number of the bills before Gov. Schwarzenegger are “eminently deserving of his veto,” including legislation (AB 2) that would tighten rules under which health insurers could rescind coverage. The editorial also urges Schwarzenegger to veto AB 513, which would require insurers to cover lactation consultants. Orange County Register.