Latest California Healthline Stories
Schwarzenegger Co-Moderates White House Health Care Forum
Gov. Schwarzenegger will share the stage in Los Angeles today with Washington state Gov. Chris Gregoire at President Obama’s fifth Regional White House Forum on Health Reform. The event will be open only to invited guests, but it will be webcast on Schwarzenegger’s homepage. San Francisco Chronicle, San Diego Union-Tribune.
Federal Officials Put Rush on Stimulus Grants for Community Clinics
The federal government awarded more than $300 million in grants for community clinics last week. Clinics in California say the grants will help shore up operations, but some officials expect to have to cut services because of state budget cuts. San Diego Union-Tribune, Sacramento Bee.
Health Care Reform News Around the Nation for the Week of April 6
A law took effect in Illinois that caps what hospitals can collect from uninsured patients, and Kansas lawmakers approved a budget with funds to expand children’s health insurance coverage. Meanwhile, the Maryland Legislature approved a bill that guarantees some state residents access to no-cost hospital care.
Aanestad Defends Opposition to Single-Payer Health System
In a letter to the editor, Sen. Sam Aanestad responds to a reader’s recent request for examples of why he opposes a measure (SB 810) to create a single-payer health care system in California. He argues, “Patients suffer when single-payer’s inevitable financial shortfalls force rationing of medical resources,” concluding, “All Californians deserve a better standard of care than a government-mandated scheme that has failed in every country in which it was attempted.” Chico Enterprise-Record.
California Budget Deficit Could Climb to $15B if Ballot Measures Fail
Lower-than-expected revenue and increased demand for Medi-Cal and other safety net services could result in a widening state budget gap in the upcoming fiscal year. The deficit will be even bigger if voters reject budget-related measures in the May special election. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
GE, Intel Partner To Develop Health Care Monitoring Tools
On Thursday, General Electric and Intel announced that they will spend $250 million over five years on the research and development of health technologies that allow physicians to remotely monitor, diagnose and consult with patients. New York Times, San Francisco Business Times.
House Passes Bill To Let FDA Regulate Tobacco Products
On Thursday, the House voted 298-112 to approve a measure that would give FDA unprecedented authority to regulate the tobacco industry. The bill could face a filibuster in the Senate. Los Angeles Times.
Survey: More Than One-Third of Calif. Adults Uninsured in ’07-’08
Thirty-seven percent of non-senior Californians didn’t have health insurance for at least one month during 2007 and 2008, according to Families USA. The group found that Hispanics and blacks were more likely to lack health insurance than white Californians. Sacramento Bee, Los Angeles Times.
Workers From Small California Firms Closer to COBRA Subsidy
Now that the Assembly has approved it, the Senate will consider a bill that reworks California law to make it possible for laid-off workers from businesses with fewer than 20 employees to qualify for a federal subsidy for COBRA health insurance coverage. AP/San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee.
Congress Approves Budget Plans, Sets Up Action on Health Reform
Both chambers of Congress approved budget resolutions yesterday that include reserve funds for health care reform. A conference committee is expected to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the bill after a two-week congressional recess. CongressDaily et al.