Latest California Healthline Stories
Republican Legislators Voicing Concerns on Aspects of Reform Plan
Key Republican senators said a letter from President Obama calling for a public health insurance plan and a requirement for large businesses to share the cost of workers’ health benefits hurts efforts to build bipartisan support for health care reform legislation. Politico et al.
Editorial Stumps for Proposals To Limit Insurance Rescissions
A Los Angeles Times editorial argues that a measure by Assembly member Hector De La Torre that would make it more difficult for health plans to rescind health insurance coverage and rescission regulations proposed by Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner “are important steps in the process of overhauling health care in this country.” Los Angeles Times.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of June 5, 2009
Officials at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital said the facility’s expansion likely will be delayed. Meanwhile, Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital in Whittier has terminated its contract with Medi-Cal.
Workers’ Comp Medical Costs Increasing, Report Finds
A new study released by the California Workers’ Compensation Institute finds that medical costs within the state’s workers’ compensation insurance system have increased significantly since 2005 and are driving up employers’ costs. However, the study notes that those costs would have been billions of dollars higher if system reforms had not been made. Sacramento Business Journal.
Former Governors Talk About Health Reform at San Diego AHIP Meeting
Yesterday, health insurance industry leaders assembled in San Diego for the annual meeting of America’s Health Insurance Plans. Former Govs. Jeb Bush, Howard Dean and John Kitzhaber participated in a panel discussion on health reform. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Sebelius: Stimulus Funding Available To Recruit Doctors
During a visit to Massachusetts, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is expected to announce the availability of federal stimulus funding to recruit more physicians and clinicians to practice in underserved areas. Sebelius is set to participate in a panel discussion with Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick about the state’s health insurance law. AP/Boston Globe.
Budget Cuts Threaten Services for California Alzheimer’s Patients
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget cuts could eliminate services for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. Advocates predict that eliminating such programs ultimately will cost the state more in nursing home care. Los Angeles Times, San Diego Union-Tribune.
Protesters Push for Single-Payer Health Care System
On Thursday, more than two dozen single-payer proponents protested in front of legislative and congressional offices in downtown Stockton to push for support of state and federal legislation to create a single-payer health care system. Stockton Record.
Moderate Democrats Outline Stance on Public Plan in Reform Talks
The House Blue Dog Coalition said its members would back a public plan in the event that changes to the health insurance market do not adequately control costs or promote competition. CongressDaily, CQ Today.
Grand Jury Sides With Health District on Contract Details
In a report released Thursday, the San Diego County Grand Jury ruled that the Palomar Pomerado Health district was justified in not disclosing the details of its contract with Kaiser Permanente to provide care for Kaiser patients. Critics had argued that because Palomar Pomerado is a public entity with an elected board and supported in part by property taxes, the details of its contract should be disclosed. However, district officials argued that the contract details were trade secrets and that releasing that information would put the district at a competitive disadvantage. San Diego Union-Tribune.