Latest California Healthline Stories
White House Drops Plan To Charge Insurers for Vets’ Service Injuries
After an outpouring of opposition from veterans groups and lawmakers, President Obama is backing away from a plan that would have charged private insurers for some treatments for veterans’ service-related injuries and conditions. McClatchy/Detroit Free Press et al.
Governor Asks Former Chief of Consumer Services To Return
After Rosario Marín resigned from her position as secretary of the California Consumer Services Agency amid a scandal over paid speeches to drug firms, Gov. Schwarzenegger has tapped Fred Aguiar to return to the position he held from 2003 to 2005. The agency oversees state licensing boards for pharmacists, doctors and other professionals. San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times.
Galt Joins Effort To Offer Prescription Drug Discounts to Residents
The city of Galt has joined a nationwide prescription drug discount program that will offer residents discounts of as much as 20% on treatments insurers don’t cover. Rancho Cordova also participates in the program. Sacramento Bee.
Editorial: Ballot-Box Budgeting Is a ‘Lousy System’
A Contra Costa Times editorial argues that ballot-box budgeting is a flawed system because “when decisions are made at the ballot box, voters aren’t given full information for they’re not provided alternatives.” It concludes, “Ballot-box budgeting is a lousy system that won’t end until voters recognize the pitfalls of their ways.” Contra Costa Times.
New Health Workers Union Loses Petition for Elections
On Tuesday, the National Labor Relations Board dismissed the newly formed National Union of Healthcare Workers’ West petition for new elections at Catholic Healthcare Workers West because a contract is in place. NUHW was formed after the Service Employees International Union took control of its California local United Healthcare Workers West. NUHW plans to appeal the ruling. Sacramento Business Journal.
Attorney General: Shift in Medical Marijuana Policy
On Wednesday, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder Jr. said the Justice Department does not plan to prosecute medical marijuana dispensaries that operate legally under state laws in California and a dozen other states. Holder’s comments represent a shift from the Bush administration’s zero tolerance toward the use of medical marijuana. Los Angeles Times.
High Percentage of California Construction Workers Uninsured
New research shows that even during the construction boom of 2005, more than a quarter of construction workers in California went without health insurance for the entire year, and more than 40% were uninsured for part of the year. San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times.
SEIU, California Nurses Association Join Forces on Nationwide Efforts
The two labor unions will team up on efforts to unionize hospital workers and push for legislation that permits states to enact single-payer health care systems. The California Nurses Association is poised to become the largest nurse union in the country once it wraps up a merger. New York Times.
Group Recommends 24.4% Hike in Workers’ Comp Rates
On Wednesday, the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau’s governing board recommended a 24.4% rate increase for workers’ compensation insurance effective July 1. On Tuesday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger urged state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner to reject the recommendation before it was officially tendered, arguing that a large rate hike would have an “overwhelmingly negative impact” on state employers and workers. Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Business Times.
Health, Education Groups Face Off Over Stimulus Funds
Tensions are mounting between health care and education advocates over an effort to determine whether California will receive enough money for budget relief from the federal stimulus package to avoid cuts to Medi-Cal and other services. One proposal to avoid the cuts would require state funding to education to be reduced. Capitol Weekly.