Latest California Healthline Stories
New Law Lets Workers at Small Firms Qualify for Federal COBRA Help
Gov. Schwarzenegger signed legislation that will let workers laid off from small businesses qualify for federal subsidies for health insurance coverage through COBRA. The subsidies are part of the federal economic stimulus package President Obama signed in February. Sacramento Bee.
Kaiser, UC-Berkeley Launch Public Health Program
On Tuesday, UC-Berkeley and Kaiser Permanente announced the launch of a new program designed to address the growing need of highly trained public health workers in California. The Kaiser Permanente Community Health Scholars Program at Berkeley is being funded by a $5 million grant from a fund Kaiser established five years ago at the East Bay Community Foundation. San Francisco Business Times, Contra Costa Times.
Medical Board Studies Plan for Physician Wellness Program
An eight-member committee of the Medical Board of California is studying a proposal to require physicians and medical students in the state to enroll in wellness programs aimed at helping identify early signs of stress, burnout and substance abuse. The California Medical Association opposes the proposal. HealthLeaders Media.
San Diego County Expected To Make Job, Health Care Cuts
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors is expected to eliminate more than 770 positions and eliminate the Child Health and Youth Clinics program. Children who receive care through the program would be referred to community clinics in the county. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Fresno State Wants To Launch Nursing Doctoral Program
A bill in the Assembly (AB 867) would allow Fresno State to create a doctoral program in nursing that university officials said would help train more teachers to help address the area’s health care worker shortage. However, the legislation comes at a time when universities are under financial strain. Fresno Bee.
White House Calls for New Taxes To Help Fund Health Care Overhaul
The Obama administration called for $58 billion in new taxes to help provide the reserve fund for its health care reform proposal after the Treasury Department discovered errors in earlier estimates for the reserve fund. AP/Boston Globe et al.
Hospitals Begin To Launch Walk-In Retail Clinics
Hospitals nationwide are beginning to launch walk-in clinics at retailers, such as CVS and Wal-Mart. Hospitals see the retail clinics as a way to reach more patients, expand their business and prevent emergency department overcrowding. New York Times.
Obama Administration Says No Final Decision Made on Stimulus Funds
The Obama administration is stepping back from a statement in a letter to Gov. Schwarzenegger’s office indicating that the state would lose almost $7 billion in stimulus funds if it did not rescind a cut in the state’s contribution to home health care workers’ wages. Los Angeles Times et al.
Health Care Advocates Hesitant About Industry Pledges on Cost Savings
In a meeting with President Obama yesterday, health care industry groups pledged to scale back projected increases in health care costs by $2 trillion over the next 10 years. Advocacy groups voiced concerns that the pledges are voluntary and the government would lack enforcement options. Hartford Courant et al.
New Deficit Projections Raise Stakes for Special Election Ballot
New figures from the California Department of Finance estimate that the state budget gap will exceed $21 billion if voters reject three measures on next week’s special election ballot that would provide money in the next fiscal year. Even if the initiatives pass, legislators say another round of deep spending cuts will be needed. KQED’s “Capital Notes” et al.