Latest California Healthline Stories
American Medical Association Comes Out Against Public Plan
The American Medical Association said it believes a public plan could restrict patients’ options by pushing private insurers out of the market. Moreover, the group said a public plan could lead to “an explosion of costs” the government would have to absorb. New York Times.
CVS, Longs Settle Complaint Over Expired Products
CVS pharmacies and Longs Drug Stores will offer $2 store coupons to customers who find expired products on the stores’ shelves as part of a settlement with Attorney General Jerry Brown. CVS Caremark — the chains’ parent company — did not admit any wrongdoing but agreed to pay $1 million in penalties and attorneys’ fees. Sacramento Bee, Orange County Register.
Obama Stumps for Health Care Reform Plan in Upcoming Visits
President Obama hopes to build grassroots support for his push to overhaul the country’s health care system and increase pressure on Congress to act quickly. The president heads to Green Bay today and is scheduled to address the American Medical Association’s annual convention Monday. AP/San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Farr Bill Would Tackle Geographic Gaps in Medicare Pay in Calif.
U.S. Rep. Sam Farr is set to unveil a bill today that aims to boost Medicare reimbursements in some California counties classified as rural. Observers expect the measure to be folded into larger national health care reform legislation. Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Senate Leaders Meet With Obama To Discuss Bipartisan Reform Plans
Senators from both parties restated their commitment to approving health care reform legislation by next month in keeping with President Obama’s timeline. The senators have reached agreements but remain divided over how to finance the effort and other issues. Politico et al.
Two Orange County Nursing Homes Fined Over Deaths
The California Department of Public Health has fined Alamitos West Health Care Center in Los Alamitos $100,000, the maximum penalty, and Huntington Valley Health Care Center in Huntington Beach was fined $80,000. Alamitos West Health Care Center is appealing the fine. Orange County Register.
Study: Access to Health Care a Problem for Calif. Parolees
Many parolees of the California prison system return to areas where medical services are limited, a RAND study found. Parolees generally have a high incidence of chronic and infectious diseases and greater need for health care, mental health services and substance use treatment. Oakland Tribune.
San Bernardino County OKs Plan for New Health Facility
On Tuesday, San Bernardino County supervisors approved a plan to create a facility that will offer medical treatment, mental health services, immunizations and reproductive health services in one location. It could open in as soon as two years. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Opinion: Congress Needs To Act Quickly on Health Reform
“Congress must act quickly to pass health care reform” to “address the lack of access, and the crippling cost,” which is “hurting our families and our economy,” Rep. Mike Thompson asserts. “No one will get everything they want” in the reform debate, but “it’s more urgent than ever that we reform our broken health care system as quickly as possible,” he writes. Huffington Post.
President’s Call for ‘Pay-As-You-Go’ Rules Has Implications for Reform
President Obama’s proposal for “pay-as-you-go” budgeting would require Congress to cover the cost of new spending programs or tax cuts within 10 years. The rules would let Obama’s health reform efforts amass significant deficits in early years. AP/Philadelphia Inquirer.