Latest California Healthline Stories
Poizner Unveils Rules To Prevent Health Insurers From Rescinding Policies
Today, California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner is releasing draft regulations aimed at preventing insurers from revoking coverage because of unintentional mistakes or omissions on an application. Los Angeles Times.
Kaiser Permanente Joins Providers Participating in Healthy San Francisco
Today, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is announcing that Kaiser Permanente will join other private health care providers in serving city residents through Healthy San Francisco. Kaiser expects to serve 3,000 program participants beginning July 1. San Francisco Chronicle.
Report: California Faces Nurse Shortage Despite Increase in Graduates
A new report finds that although the number of California nurses increased by more than 9,500 in 2008, the state still lags behind most of the U.S. in the number of nurses per capita. The nursing shortage is particularly critical in rural areas, an official said. Sacramento Bee.
Contra Costa County Prepares for More Budget Cuts
On Tuesday, Contra Costa County Administrator David Twa warned county supervisors that state budget cuts and the economic recession will force the county to make deeper program cuts. Health services and employment and human services are expected to be the hardest hit. Contra Costa Times.
Obama Tells Senators He Wants Health Care Reform Bill by October
President Obama met with Senate Democrats yesterday and urged them to approve health care reform legislation before the August congressional recess so the legislative process could wrap up and he could sign the measure by October. New York Times et al.
Ventura County Prepares for Changes to Medi-Cal Program
On Tuesday, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors voted to authorize local health care leaders to develop a proposal to establish a locally administered Medi-Cal managed care program, changing how treatment is delivered and how health care providers are paid. The changes are required under a three-year-old state mandate. Ventura County Star.
Single-Payer Proponents Get Meeting With Baucus
Today, Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus will meet for an hour with five single-payer health care system advocates, including two representatives from the California Nurses Association. Baucus has been criticized for excluding single-payer supporters from the health reform debate. San Francisco Chronicle.
Senate Leader Directs Cash to Children’s Coverage Effort
On Monday, Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg’s Committee for a New Economy contributed $75,000 to the Californians for Children’s Health committee. A leader of the committee said the group is working to develop a ballot measure for 2010 that would expand children’s health coverage. InsideBayArea.com’s “Political Blotter.”
Schwarzenegger Argues for Swift Action on California Budget
Gov. Schwarzenegger went before state legislators yesterday to urge them to move quickly on his plan to balance the state’s $24.3 billion budget deficit. Democratic leaders said they were ready to approve about $15 billion in spending cuts, explaining that they do not support plans to eliminate Healthy Families and other safety net programs. MediaNews/Oakland Tribune et al.
Daschle Gives Health Care Overhaul a ’50-50 Chance’
At the National Press Club on Tuesday, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, President Obama’s first pick for HHS secretary, said the chances that health reform legislation will pass this year are “no better than 50-50.” Meanwhile, former HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said there is a “political imperative” for change. Kaiser Health News/Miami Herald.