Latest California Healthline Stories
Opinion: Calif. Groups Offer Lessons in Health Reform
The Blue Shield of California Foundation, the California Endowment, the California HealthCare Foundation and the California Wellness Foundation played key roles in the debate over health care reform in the state in 2007, and their experiences provide lessons for foundations in the national health care debate, according to Stephen Isaacs and Paul Jellinek, partners in a consulting firm focused on foundation work. Chronicle of Philanthropy.
Emanuel Confident Health Reform Will Happen in 2009
White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel said he believes Congress will send President Obama a health care reform package this year. Emanuel said he expects the package to expand coverage, provide options and control health care costs. NPR’s “Morning Edition.”
Pelosi Steps Back From Pledge To Work Through August if Bill Not Passed
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she expects House Democrats to reach an agreement on health care reform in the next few days but moved away from an earlier commitment to work into the August recess to pass overhaul legislation. The Hill et al.
Senate Will Not Vote on Health Care Reform Before Recess
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the Senate will not vote on health care reform legislation by the August recess to give members of the Senate Finance Committee more time to work on a bipartisan compromise. President Obama said the delay was OK so long as work continued. AP/Boston Globe et al.
Boehner Says House GOP Will Offer Health Care Alternative
On Thursday, House Minority Leader John Boehner said Republican members will offer an alternative health care reform proposal to Democratic plans under consideration. Boehner did not say when the plan would be released. The Hill.
California Senate OKs Budget Package; Health Care Cuts Sail Through
Yesterday, California legislators approved a key budget provision that would cut spending from health programs, social services, prisons and education. The Senate approved the 31-bill package shortly after 6 a.m., and voting is continuing in the Assembly. AP/Fresno Bee et al.
Former Labor Secretary Says Reform Needs Harder Push
Speaking in San Francisco, Robert Reich said that President Obama needs to “start knocking heads” to win passage of health care reform legislation this year. Reich was secretary of labor under President Clinton. San Francisco Business Times.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of July 24, 2009
CMS gave Southwest Healthcare another six months to make changes at two hospitals in Riverside County. Meanwhile, the California Nurses Association labor union filed a suit challenging the county approval process for construction at Eden Medical Center.
Calaveras County Restores Pay for Home Care Workers
On Tuesday, a Calaveras County official said that the county has restored wages for workers in the In-Home Supportive Services Program after a federal judge issued an injunction in late June. California officials are locked in a battle over IHSS wages with a labor union. Stockton Record.
Pelosi Says House Could Pass Reform Bill; Some Question Her Comments
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asserted that there is sufficient support for the House plan to approve the health care reform legislation, but Democratic and Republican legislators maintain that the votes aren’t there. Negotiations with Blue Dog Democrats are continuing. Politico et al.