Latest California Healthline Stories
Thought Leaders Outline 10 Steps To Boost Health Care
In an opinion piece, Atul Gawande, Donald Berwick, Elliot Fisher and Mark McClellan highlight strategies they say would improve the way health care is delivered in the U.S. The methods are collected from discussions with leaders from Sacramento and nine other communities nationwide. New York Times.
Workers’ Comp Bureau States Premiums Should Rise 22.8%
On Wednesday, the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California recommended a premium increase of 22.8%. The recommendation is advisory but typically sets an industry standard. The rates, which are generally set in January and July, were raised about 10% on average in January after the bureau recommended a 23.7% increase. Sacramento Bee et al.
Clinics Challenge Governor’s Line-Item Vetoes to Health Care
Yesterday, California health clinics and others added a lawsuit to the growing pile of legal action against Gov. Schwarzenegger’s line-item vetoes. Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg filed a suit Monday. Observers predict that the clinics might succeed in reversing the vetoes if they argue that the cuts directly threaten their patients’ health. Los Angeles Daily Journal et al.
Federal Appeals Court Likely To Uphold S.F. Tobacco Ban
On Wednesday, it appeared likely that the Ninth U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco will rule that the city can continue to enforce its ban on tobacco sales in drugstores. A judge stated that the ban prohibited only tobacco sales and that it did not infringe on tobacco companies First Amendment rights, as the companies had claimed. San Francisco Chronicle.
UC System To Sell Bonds To Fund Construction Projects
On Monday, the University of California system will begin selling about $1.4 billion in bonds to fund construction projects. Some of the funding will go to the UC-Davis health and wellness facility. Sacramento Business Journal.
Patients Face High Costs for Out-of-Network Care, AHIP Survey Finds
A new America’s Health Insurance Plans survey finds that patients who receive routine medical care from out-of-network doctors are charged very high rates. The survey was conducted in part to counter health reform advocates’ recent criticism of the insurance industry. New York Times, Roll Call.
Obama Takes on Health Reform Opponents at Town-Hall Meeting
At a town-hall meeting yesterday, President Obama stumped for health care overhaul and took aim at what he called “scare tactics” being used by health reform opponents. Obama also addressed some of the misinformation circulating about the health reform proposals under consideration. Obama will hold additional town-hall meetings on Friday and Saturday. Washington Post et al.
Reform Debate Highlights Problem of Underinsured
The national debate over health care reform has brought attention to the issue of the underinsured, or people whose policies require them to pay thousands of dollars out-of-pocket before their coverage begins. In California, Assembly member Dave Jones has introduced a bill that would require insurers to standardize the descriptions of their plans to help avoid consumers’ confusion and would cap beneficiaries’ out-of-pocket expenses at $10,000. Sacramento Bee.
Previous Attempts To Overhaul Health Care System Unsuccessful
President Obama faces a challenging task in reforming health care. Previous attempts to expand health care coverage by Presidents Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy and Richard Nixon all proved unsuccessful. AP/Chicago Tribune.
Calif. Congress Members Host Town-Hall Meetings on Health Care Reform
During Congress’ August recess, several California representatives are hosting town-hall meetings to discuss health care reform proposals with their constituents. Reps. Sam Farr, Wally Herger, Jerry Lewis and Zoe Lofgren have public forums planned. Palm Springs Desert Sun et al.