Latest California Healthline Stories
Aanestad Leads Opposition to Single-Payer Legislation
Sen. Sam Aanestad is heading up the movement against Sen. Mark Leno’s proposal to create a state-run, single-payer health care system in California. Gov. Schwarzenegger has vetoed similar proposals twice before. Chico Enterprise-Record.
UC-Irvine Medical Students Treat Patients at No Cost
Since November 2008, UC-Irvine Medical School students have been providing care at no cost to low-income patients at the UC-Irvine Outreach Clinic. Most of the patients are uninsured, do not speak English and have not seen a physician in years. Los Angeles Times.
Report: Healthy San Francisco Coverage Costs Less Than Private Plans
San Francisco officials released a report indicating that coverage through the city’s Healthy San Francisco program costs significantly less than private plans. Insurers disputed the findings, pointing out that Healthy San Francisco doesn’t cover services outside of the city. San Francisco Chronicle.
Obama Administration Appears Open To Taxing Some Health Benefits
Obama administration officials have indicated that President Obama will not flatly reject proposals to tax some employee health benefits packages to help cover the cost of his health care reform plan. During the campaign, Obama criticized a similar proposal. New York Times, Washington Times.
Analysis Points To Rising Money Problems for Community Clinics
The number of community clinics in California that broke even or posted a deficit increased by five percentage points from 2004 to 2006. From 2003 to 2006, the percentage of low-income Californians who sought care at clinics increased by more than 10 percentage points, raising concerns about the clinics’ viability in the face of budget cuts and rising unemployment. Los Angeles Times.
UC Regents Set To Vote on Nursing School at UC-Davis
On Thursday, the UC Board of Regents is scheduled to consider granting final approval to a proposal to create a new nursing school at UC-Davis. The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation has contributed $100 million to the effort. Sacramento Bee.
San Joaquin Valley Health Consortium in Jeopardy
In the face of declining revenue, board members for the San Joaquin Valley Health Consortium are considering closure and other options for the organization’s future. The group awards grants for HIV/AIDS services, immunizations, and tobacco and poison prevention efforts. Fresno Bee.
Controversy Plagues Calif. Prison Health Care Oversight
California officials will ask a federal court to dismiss the court-appointed prison health care receiver at a hearing today, setting the stage for the case eventually to proceed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Recent media reports have highlighted compensation for receivership officials, staff turnover and the scope of the receiver’s plan. Sacramento Bee et al.
Nursing Home in Santa Paula Announces Closure Plans
Last week, owners of Santa Paula Healthcare said they would be closing the facility within 30 days for financial reasons. The facility currently has 14 patients. Ventura County Star.
San Francisco Health Agency Aims for Stimulus Funding
The San Francisco Department of Public Health is working to secure as much as $67 million from the federal economic stimulus package. Money would be allocated for projects dealing with health information technology, telemedicine, community clinics, wellness and prevention. San Francisco Business Times.