Latest California Healthline Stories
Drop in Value of CalPERS Holdings Triggers Hike in Benefits Contribution
CalPERS’ investment portfolio fell by 23.4% last year, partly as a result of the economic downturn. The fund said it will look to state and local governments for the necessary funding to sustain payments for public workers’ health and retirement benefits. Bloomberg/Contra Costa Times et al.
Calif. Lawmakers Reach Budget Deal That Includes Health Cuts
Yesterday, Gov. Schwarzenegger and top legislators announced that they had reached an agreement to resolve the state’s budget deficit. Although the plan would not eliminate health programs, it would severely cut spending for Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, In-Home Supportive Services and HIV/AIDS programs. The Legislature is expected to vote on the proposal Thursday. New York Times et al.
Clinics Should Be Off-Limits to Budget Cuts, Advocate Argues
California Primary Care Association President Carmela Castellano argues that community clinics and health centers in California “should be off-limits” to state lawmakers despite a $26 billion deficit. She asserts that many state residents “would have nowhere else to turn except costly, already overburdened hospital emergency rooms” if clinics are cut. San Francisco Chronicle.
Opinion: Disregard ‘Myths’ in Debate on Health Care Reform
Many companies “who have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo” of the current U.S. health system will “try to scare Americans with myths about legitimate proposals to lower health costs,” AARP California state President Jeannine English writes, responding to a series of statements by opponents of health care reform proposals under consideration in Congress. Ventura County Star.
S.F. Supervisor Alioto-Pier To Run for Insurance Chief Post
On Monday, San Francisco Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier announced that she will run for state insurance commissioner. Steve Poizner, the current insurance commissioner, is running for governor. San Francisco Business Times, Sacramento Bee‘s “Capital Alert.”
Republican Leaders Increase Opposition to Obama on Health Care
Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele and Sen. Jim DeMint challenged President Obama’s push for health care reform, arguing that Obama is trying to rush the process. Steele asserted that plans under consideration in Congress would reduce individuals’ health care choices. Washington Post et al.
Comparative Effectiveness Research Sparks Debate
The Obama administration and allies in Congress are pushing to include funding for comparative effectiveness research as part of health reform legislation, but some opponents of the research argue that it could lead to rationing of health care services. NPR’s “Morning Edition.”
Obama Steps Up Push for Health Care Reform in Recent Appearances
President Obama is working to rally public support for health care reform in media interviews and public appearances this week. Obama also is scheduled to meet with House Democrats today in hopes of winning approval for the House reform plan from a final panel this week. Reuters et al.
California Lawmakers Could Affect Biotech Legislation
California’s members of Congress are influencing how biotechnology drugs will be treated in health reform legislation because many biotech firms reside in the state. KQED’s “The California Report.”
House Democrats Float Idea of Trigger for Tax Hikes To Fund Reform
In an interview Monday, House Majority Whip James Clyburn said House Democrats are considering a plan that would require surtaxes on upper-income Americans only if other provisions of the health care reform bill do not cover the cost of the legislation. CQ Today et al.