Latest California Healthline Stories
Poll: Lukewarm Support for Health Care-Related Propositions
A Public Policy Institute of California poll found that almost half of likely voters support two measures up for vote in the May 19 special election that would shift funding for children’s health care and mental health programs. However, support for the measures falls short of the 50% threshold necessary for approval. Los Angeles Times et al.
Maria Shriver Puts Spotlight on Alzheimer’s Disease
California first lady Maria Shriver testified before Congress on Wednesday to push for increased attention to Alzheimer’s disease. A new report by the Alzheimer’s Study Group estimates that Alzheimer’s-related costs to Medicare and Medicaid will top more than $1 trillion annually by 2050. Sacramento Bee.
Editorial: Federal Oversight of California Prisons Still Needed
A Monterey County Herald editorial argues that “Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and other California officials should stop trying to fight the federal courts over management of the state’s deeply troubled prison system and the dysfunctional health care operations within the prisons.” It adds, “The energy spent on trying to get federal Judge Thelton Henderson to back off would be better spent working with him to fix the problems that caught the bench’s attention in the first place.” Monterey County Herald.
Governor Appoints Team To Track Stimulus Funds for Health, Other Efforts
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has formed a team to keep tabs on the funding California will receive through the economic stimulus package. The state is expected to get $85 billion, of which $50 billion will go to health care and other projects. Capitol Weekly, Office of the Governor release.
Appeals Court: Contempt Hearing Over Prison Health Care Can Proceed
A federal appeals court ruled that a judge can proceed with a contempt hearing against Gov. Schwarzenegger’s administration for refusing to provide a $250 million down payment for improvements to the state’s prison health care system. San Francisco Chronicle, AP/San Jose Mercury News.
House Committee Adopts $3.45T FY 2010 Budget Resolution
Yesterday, the House Budget Committee passed a $3.45 trillion fiscal year 2010 budget resolution that includes the use of the budget reconciliation process to adopt health care reform. The resolution includes a measure to create a deficit-neutral health care reserve. Reuters/Boston Globe et al.
Insurance Commissioner Sponsors Measure To Expand COBRA Coverage
The legislation, designed to take advantage of the federal government’s stimulus package, would let workers laid off between Sept. 1, 2008, and Dec. 31, 2009, receive a 65% subsidy for Cal-COBRA premiums for up to nine months. San Francisco Business Times.
San Joaquin County To Submit Plan To Address Shortage of Psychiatrists
San Joaquin County will submit to the state a $3.1 million plan to address the area’s shortage of psychiatrists and Spanish- and Cambodian-speaking mental health professionals. The plan would rely on funding from Proposition 63. Stockton Record.
Palo Alto VA Health Facilities To Receive $15.5M
On Tuesday, Rep. Anna Eshoo announced that Veterans Affairs health care facilities in Menlo Park and Palo Alto will receive $15.5 million in federal stimulus funding for upgrades and renovations. The $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act allocated a total of $1 billion for veterans’ health facilities nationwide. San Jose Mercury News.
Obama: Budget Must Address Rising Health Care Costs
During a prime-time news conference on Tuesday night, President Obama said that it would be impossible to balance the budget if the government does not curb health care costs and boost economic growth. Obama’s budget proposal calls for $624 billion for health care reform over the next 10 years. A plan released Tuesday by Senate Democrats does not set a dollar figure for health care overhaul. AP/Fort Worth Star-Telegram, New York Times.