Latest California Healthline Stories
Senator Touts Proposal To Open Up Insurance Exchange
In an opinion piece, Sen. Ron Wyden announced plans to introduce an amendment to health care reform legislation in the Senate that would result in more Americans having access to a proposed health insurance exchange. Wyden argues that the change would yield cost savings and boost quality. New York Times.
States Size Up Senate Finance Committee’s Health Care Reform Plan
Provisions of the Senate Finance Committee’s health care reform bill call for expanding Medicaid and increasing federal funding for states that cover some services. Governors and other state officials have expressed concerns about the cost to states of expanding Medicaid. Reuters.
Santa Rosa Memorial Tops List for Cardiac Emergencies
Quarterly data from the American College of Cardiology show that Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital had the fastest heart attack response time among 949 hospitals that submit information to the registry. Hospital staff said efficiencies by paramedics and emergency department staff, as well as the hospital’s new Heart & Vascular Institute, contributed to the fast treatment times. Santa Rosa Press Democrat, North Bay Business Journal.
Judge Hears State’s Challenge to Prison Health Receivership
On Wednesday, a lawyer for California argued in the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that the state should be granted control of its prison health care system because a federal judge in 2006 lacked authority to create the receivership. San Francisco Chronicle.
MRMIB To End Waitlist, Reopen Enrollment for Healthy Families
After the Legislature approved a bill designed to restore Healthy Families’ recent funding losses, the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board decided to lift the program’s enrollment freeze beginning today. MRMIB said it plans to begin accepting applicants off its waitlist and will not go through with earlier proposals to disenroll children from the program. Sacramento Bee, KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Contra Costa County Cuts $3M From Health Services
On Tuesday, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to eliminate $3 million in funding for health programs. The reductions come in addition to $20 million in cuts to the health department budget. Contra Costa Times.
Congressional Budget Office Releases Cost Estimates on Reform Bill
The Congressional Budget Office projects that the cost of the Senate Finance Committee’s health care reform proposal would be less than the committee itself had estimated. CBO also projected that the proposal would cut the budget deficit by $49 billion over 10 years. CongressDaily et al.
President Returns To Labor Group To Stump for Health Care Reform
President Obama told union members attending the AFL-CIO’s annual convention that his health care proposals would benefit the middle class and urged them to support his domestic agenda. Obama also spoke at the labor federation’s annual picnic last week. Washington Post et al.
Study: Health Insurance Premiums on the Rise for California Families
Yesterday, Families USA released a report suggesting that the cost of health insurance premiums for a typical California family have more than doubled since 2000. During the same period, median earnings for California workers rose by about 25%, the study found. Sacramento Bee.
Calif. Officials Launch Upgraded Prescription Drug Tracking System
Yesterday, Attorney General Jerry Brown rolled out enhancements to an online database that helps physicians and pharmacists access a patient’s prescription drug history. It is believed to be the largest prescription tracking system in the U.S. Los Angeles Times, Oakland Tribune.