Latest California Healthline Stories
Sebelius Stresses Importance of Cost-Control in Reform
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said that controlling health care costs is a key priority for President Obama in health care reform. Sebelius also addressed the uninsured and proposals to tax some employer-sponsored health insurance benefits. PBS’ “NewsHour With Jim Lehrer.”
Editorial: Eshoo Biotech Bill Supports Innovation, Access
Congress should support legislation by Rep. Anna Eshoo that would provide 12 years of patent protection for biotechnology drugs because it addresses the “dilemma” at the “heart of President Barack Obama’s goal for comprehensive health care reform” by fostering health care innovation while guaranteeing “access to affordable medical care, including medication,” an editorial argues. San Jose Mercury News.
Democrats’ Budget Plan Fails, Calif. Close To Issuing IOUs
Yesterday, lawmakers failed to approve a key bill in the Democrats’ budget plan, which would preserve Healthy Families. State Controller John Chiang warned that the state could begin issuing IOUs on July 2 if legislators do not reach a budget agreement, and Gov. Schwarzenegger rolled out a proposal to end state contributions to workers’ health benefits. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Advocates Push Feinstein To Back Obama Health Effort
Today, health care advocates plan to rally at Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s offices in Fresno, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco to encourage her to provide more support for President Obama’s push for health care reform. Earlier this week, Feinstein questioned whether there is sufficient support in the Senate to approve health reform. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Congressional Caucuses Raise the Stakes on Inclusion of Public Plan
Four key Democratic caucuses said they would oppose legislation to overhaul the U.S. health care system that does not include a “robust” public plan. The caucuses represent more than 120 members of the House, potentially complicating efforts to craft a bipartisan deal in the Senate. CQ Politics, Roll Call.
Governors Tell Obama They Back Reform but Some Concerns Linger
A bipartisan group of governors told President Obama they back his push for health care reform but oppose efforts that would increase health care costs for states. Governors disagreed about including a public option in the reform plan, but they said the issue did not dominate their meeting. Washington Post et al.
Ruling Allows Calif. To Eliminate Denti-Cal, Other Medi-Cal Benefits
Yesterday, Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Timothy Frawley ruled that federal law does not bar California from ending Medi-Cal reimbursements for dental care and other services at rural health centers and federally qualified health centers. San Francisco Chronicle, Ventura County Star.
California Workers’ Comp Benefits To Increase
The amount certain workers’ compensation benefits pay out will increase beginning in January 2010 because the state’s average weekly wage, on which the benefits are based, increased by about 3% over the year ending March 31, according to the California Workers’ Compensation Institute. Sacramento Business Journal.
Study: Public Plan Could Save $1.8 Trillion Over 10 Years
New research from the Commonwealth Fund projects that U.S. health care spending from 2010 to 2020 would increase by $1.8 trillion less with a public plan than it would if health care reform efforts relied only on private insurers. The report assumes a public plan would pay doctors and hospitals rates similar to Medicare. Reuters.
Health Care Reform Update From the Capitol for the Week of June 24
President Obama is stepping up his involvement in the push for health care reform after cost projections from the Congressional Budget Office sparked concerns about the scope of the effort. House Republicans and three former Senate majority leaders also put forward proposals last week.