Latest California Healthline Stories
House Panels Begin Markup of Health Care Reform Legislation
House committees with oversight of health care have begun holding hearings on legislation that Democratic leaders rolled out Tuesday. A provision of the bill that would increase taxes on high-income people is drawing criticism from lawmakers and advocacy groups. CQ HealthBeat et al.
White House Plan Would Create New Agency To Set Medicare Pay Rates
An Obama administration proposal aims to establish a new council in the executive branch that would be charged with setting Medicare reimbursement rates. White House officials said the plan would help address rising costs in Medicare. Politico, Washington Post.
Health Trust Announces $3.2 Million in Grants
On Wednesday, the Health Trust announced it has awarded $3.24 million in grants to 40 organizations to promote three strategic health initiatives. Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal.
Nursing Board Leader Resigns After Governor Replaces Panel Members
Yesterday, Ruth Ann Terry resigned her post as executive officer of the California Board of Registered Nursing after a recent report revealed major delays in the board’s enforcement. Gov. Schwarzenegger replaced most of the panel’s membership on Monday. Los Angeles Times et al.
Viral Meningitis Cases Jump in Two California Counties
According to health experts, El Dorado and Sacramento counties have experienced a notably high number of viral meningitis cases in 2009. Sacramento County has had 74 reported cases this year, compared with 27 cases in the same period last year. El Dorado County has had 30 cases this year, compared with 17 cases all of last year. Sacramento Bee.
Health Care at Issue as California Leaders Zero In on Budget Agreement
Although lawmakers have agreed on how to solve most of the state’s budget deficit, Republicans hope to address the remaining gaps by cutting health and social services. Meanwhile, lawmakers have abandoned plans for a two-tier pension system. Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee.
House Democrats Roll Out Plan To Overhaul Health Care System
Democratic leaders in the House released health care reform legislation that would use tax hikes on high-income Americans to help cover the cost of expanding health insurance coverage to an additional 37 million Americans. President Obama applauded the proposal, but Senate Democrats reacted more skeptically. Washington Post et al.
Massachusetts Budget Cuts Health Coverage for 30,000
Massachusetts’ recently approved state budget will eliminate health coverage for about 30,000 documented immigrants as a means of helping offset the state’s budget deficit. The $130 million reduction hits the Commonwealth Care program, which provides subsidized coverage for low-income state residents. New York Times.
Advocates Push Tobacco Tax Hike To Offset Budget Deficit
Health advocates have been asking Gov. Schwarzenegger and other Republican lawmakers to reconsider their opposition to increasing taxes in light of a recent survey that found strong support among GOP voters for increasing California’s tobacco taxes to help address the state’s budget deficit. Oakland Tribune.
Judge Orders State To Help Counties Restore In-Home Care Wages
U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken said the state is hindering compliance with her injunction against a reduction of the state’s contribution to wages for In-Home Supportive Services workers. She urged officials to help counties restore wages. San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”