Latest California Healthline Stories
Dunn To Step Down as Head of California Medical Association
On Tuesday, California Medical Association CEO Joe Dunn announced he will step down as soon as the CMA Board of Directors can find his replacement. Dunn said that he hopes to remain with CMA in some capacity. Capitol Weekly.
Senators Say Bipartisan Deal Possible on Health Reform
Lawmakers can “resuscitate” bipartisanship in health reform talks by embracing the Healthy Americans Act, in which “each side gave a bit on some of its visions of perfect health reform,” argue Sens. Bob Bennett (R-Utah) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who wrote the proposal. Washington Post.
Judges Order Calif. To Cut Prison Population To Address Inmates’ Health
Yesterday, a federal judiciary panel ordered California to develop a plan to cut the state’s prison population by about 40,000 over the next two years. The judges said prison overcrowding led to severely inadequate levels of medical and mental health care. Sacramento Bee et al.
Health Net Reports 48% Drop in Second-Quarter Earnings
On Tuesday, Health Net officials announced that the company’s second-quarter profits declined by 48% over the same period last year because of increasing medical costs and declining enrollment. Sacramento Business Journal.
$18M From Stimulus Creates, Retains 34 Jobs at Stanford
On Tuesday, officials from the Stanford University School of Medicine announced that they would use $18 million in federal stimulus funding to create or retain at least 34 research jobs. San Francisco Business Times.
Massachusetts Weighs Physician Pay Changes, Cost-Cutting Measures
In order to curb health care costs, Massachusetts policymakers have proposed eliminating the “fee-for-service” physician payment model and replacing it with flat annual rates. Some say the move will encourage physicians to promote preventive care. NPR’s “Morning Edition.”
Opinion Pieces Debate Co-Ops as Alternative to Public Plan
Although “people get a warm feeling when they hear” about health insurance cooperatives, it “takes real muscle, not nostalgia and fuzzy feelings” to “force doctors, hospitals and patients to cut costs as much as a public option might,” argues a USA Today editorial. However, although a public plan has “virtues,” it “cannot get 60 votes in the Senate” and “its inclusion could doom the larger health reform effort,” argues Sen. Kent Conrad in a counterpoint. USA Today.
Elderly Californians Likely To Feel Impact of Health Program Cuts
The budget revision package signed last week reduced funding for adult day health care and Alzheimer’s disease programs. Advocates say the cuts could force Californians to send family members to nursing homes, thereby increasing state Medi-Cal spending. San Bernardino County Sun, Contra Costa Times.
Obama Restates Pledge Not To Increase Taxes on Middle Class
This weekend, Obama administration officials left open the possibility of tax increases to help address the federal budget deficit and cover the cost of health care reform, but the president reinforced his commitment to avoid tax hikes for the overwhelming majority of Americans. New York Times et al.
Governors’ Concerns on Medicaid Expansion Loom Over Reform Talks
Governors are voicing concerns that an expansion of Medicaid would be unaffordable unless the federal government fully covers the cost of adding new beneficiaries to state programs. Gov. Schwarzenegger has written to congressional leaders on the issue. CQ HealthBeat.