Latest California Healthline Stories
Emanuel Signals White House Is Open to a ‘Trigger’ for Public Plan
President Obama has voiced support for including a public health plan in overhaul legislation. White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel yesterday indicated that the administration would back legislation that created a public plan only if the market does not yield sufficient competition. Wall Street Journal, NPR’s “Morning Edition.”
Speaker Bass Boycotts Budget Meetings Over Governor’s Proposals
Yesterday, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass skipped budget talks to protest Gov. Schwarzenegger’s push for changes to Medi-Cal and other public assistance programs. Meanwhile, the governor met with district attorneys to discuss alleged fraud in In-Home Supportive Services. AP/San Diego Union-Tribune et al.
Calif. Medical Board Steps Up Efforts on Unlicensed Doctors
As of July 1, the California Medical Board has a team of four investigators and staff dedicated to identifying practitioners who are not licensed to practice medicine in the state. The Operation Safe Medicine’s $600,000 budget will come from physician licensing fees. HealthLeaders Media.
NIH Announces New Rules on Stem Cell Research Funding
On Monday, NIH announced new rules that will make more of the existing human embryonic stem cell lines eligible for federal funding. The new rules mark a change from rules former President George W. Bush adopted that were more restrictive of federal funding for such research. Washington Post, NPR’s “Morning Edition.”
Ventura County Charity Cuts Some Health Care Services
Interface Children Family Services is scaling back its mental health counseling offerings, and the charity’s director says it will close its program focused on linking children to medical and dental services on Oct. 1. The group cited budget concerns for the cuts. Ventura County Star.
Analysts See Mixed Bag for California Under Reform Plans
High-income Californians could be hit by proposals to eliminate tax breaks to help cover the cost of health care reform, but other plans to tax high-end health insurance benefits would have a more limited effect in California than they would nationwide. Moreover, California could benefit from efforts to expand coverage because of the state’s sizable uninsured population. Los Angeles Times.
Healthy San Francisco’s Enrollment at 43,000 at Two-Year Anniversary
Two years after the launch of Healthy San Francisco, the program has helped facilitate health care access for 43,000 city residents without health insurance. The initiative also has reduced costs for certain medical services, such as emergency care. HealthLeaders Media.
Conference Touts Role of Preventive Care, Access
Last week, the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network held a conference focused on the need to ensure access to health care and preventive care, especially in low-income communities. The event was held at the California Endowment. New America Media.
California Health Care Personnel News Update for June 2009
Blue Shield of California has tapped Meredith Mathews to serve as senior vice president and chief medical officer, and the California Association of Health Plans has turned to a former state senator as its new leader. Meanwhile, the chief scientific officer of the state stem cell agency has resigned.
Calif. Lawmakers Still Grappling Over Budget, Health Services Cuts
As California approaches insolvency, lawmakers are continuing to spar over various proposals to mend the state’s deficit and preserve In-Home Supportive Services and Healthy Families. Budget negotiations are expected to continue today. San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times.