Latest California Healthline Stories
Bills on ‘Gender Rating,’ Coverage of HPV Vaccine Clear Senate Chamber
The California Senate approved legislation to bar health insurers from basing premiums on a person’s gender. Earlier in the week, the Senate approved a bill that would require some health plans to cover the vaccine for the human papillomavirus. San Francisco Chronicle, Eureka Times-Standard.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of May 15, 2009
Kaiser Permanente broke ground on a new hospital in Fontana this week, while the Alameda County Board of Supervisors delayed action on Eden Valley Medical Center’s plans to build a new facility. In other news, the state fined Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center for a patient death.
Officials: Health Care Reform Bill Will Reach House Floor by July
Health care reform legislation likely will reach the House floor before Congress’ August recess, Democratic lawmakers say. The timetable could allow President Obama to reach his goal of signing health care overhaul legislation into law by the end of the year. Reuters.
California Prisons To Allow Visiting After H1N1 Flu Scare
On Wednesday, California corrections and prison officials said that visiting at California prisons can resume on Friday because the H1N1 influenza is not as severe as originally feared. Sacramento Bee.
Americans Mixed on How To Proceed With Health Reform
Most U.S. residents agree that health care reform is needed; however, they are mixed on how best to achieve it, according to a new survey from Stanford University’s Center on Longevity. Survey respondents were asked to rate six different health care proposals on a scale from one to 10. None of the plans scored higher than a five, according to researchers. San Jose Mercury News.
Democrats Gear Up To Defend Health Care Reform Proposals
On Wednesday, Senate Democrats met to devise a strategy to counter recent criticism from Republicans that health care proposals by President Obama and Democrats would lead to “a Washington takeover of health care.” Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus, who is helping to craft emerging health care legislation, said Democrats need to ensure consumers that they would have the ability to choose their own physicians and insurers. New York Times.
Senate To Consider Bill Banning ‘Gender Rating’ by California Insurers
A Senate bill under consideration would prohibit insurance companies in California from charging women higher rates than men for individual health insurance policies. On Monday, the Assembly voted to approve a similar measure. San Francisco Chronicle.
Rules for Stimulus Funds Weigh on Governor in Budget Revisions
Gov. Schwarzenegger will release revised budget plans today, and federal requirements to receive money from the economic stimulus package are expected to limit cuts to health care and other programs. Meanwhile, the state auditor has identified more than 200 problems with internal fiscal controls at state agencies that will handle stimulus money. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Editorial: Grim Medicare Outlook Not Surprising
According to a Washington Post editorial, “You’d have to be living under a rock to be surprised by this week’s news from Social Security and Medicare trustees that the programs are in trouble.” It adds, “The U.S. population is aging, health care costs are spiraling upward and neither program has the money to cover promised benefits.” The editorial concludes that “entitlement reform shouldn’t wait.” Washington Post.
California Regulators Work on Rules Taking Aim at HMO Wait Times
The California Department of Managed Health Care aims to release regulations by the end of the year that would set maximum wait times for HMO members to receive medical care in different circumstances. California would be the first state in the nation to adopt such rules. Sacramento Bee.