Latest California Healthline Stories
L.A. County Commission on HIV Reconsiders Food Cuts
Last week, the Los Angeles County Commission on HIV voted to send a proposal to cut $350,000 from a nutrition service that provides food for about 3,000 people with HIV/AIDS to committee for further discussion after it was met with protests. Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.
Editorial: California Cannot Afford U.S. Reform Failure
Without reform, the U.S.’s current health care system “will destroy the nation’s fiscal as well as physical well-being — and nowhere is that more obvious than in” California, an editorial argues. The editorial states, “California cannot afford to have President Barack Obama’s comprehensive reform initiative go down in defeat this year.” San Jose Mercury News.
President Outlines Cuts to Medicare, Medicaid To Help Cover Reform Costs
In his weekly radio address, President Obama called for more than $300 billion in cuts to federal spending on health care over 10 years. Congressional staffers said the president’s latest proposal would spark some resistance. The administration aims to keep the cost of health reform at about $1 trillion. Wall Street Journal et al.
Recession Prompts Calif. Nurses To Delay Retiring, Shortage Looms
Although the recession has led many older nurses to remain in their profession, economic recovery could lead to a wave of retirements and thus deepen California’s impending nursing shortage. Meanwhile, nursing schools are struggling to meet increased demand. Sacramento Bee.
Calif. Lawmakers Mull Options for Dealing With Budget Deficit
Today is the state constitutional deadline for California legislators to approve a plan to close the state’s estimated $24.3 billion budget gap. Democrats are considering pushing for new revenue to avoid eliminating health care and welfare programs, but Gov. Schwarzenegger and Republicans remain opposed to new taxes. Meanwhile, state finance officials are studying the possibility of issuing IOUs if the state runs out of cash. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Rep. Miller Predicts Reform Legislation Will Pass
House Education and Labor Committee Chair George Miller (D-Calif.) last week predicted that health care reform legislation currently being debated in Congress will not include a single-payer system but that President Obama’s plan to include a public coverage option to provide competition for private insurers likely will pass. Contra Costa Times.
Klein Won’t Seek Second Term at Stem Cell Oversight Panel
On Friday, Bob Klein announced that he would not seek a second term as chair of the Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee for the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine. Klein’s term runs through 2010. San Francisco Business Times.
Health Care Reform Update From the Capitol for the Week of June 15
President Obama stepped up his involvement in the push for health care reform, and key committees in Congress provided more details about their plans for overhauling the health care system. Meanwhile, advocacy groups across the political spectrum continued to jump into the campaign.
Obama Aims To Sell American Medical Association on Reform
President Obama is scheduled to address the American Medical Association’s annual conference at 9:15 PT today in hopes of building support for health care reform. The president’s speech comes after AMA voiced concerns about proposals for a public plan. The speech will stream live on C-SPAN. USA Today et al.
Senate Votes To Approve FDA Regulation of Tobacco
On Thursday, the Senate voted 79-17 to approve legislation that would allow FDA to regulate ingredients in tobacco products and the marketing of so-called “light” cigarettes. The House is expected to vote on the legislation today. President Obama has said he will sign the bill. Los Angeles Times et al.