Latest California Healthline Stories
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of February 27, 2009
Axis Community Health has moved into a larger facility. Meanwhile, Kaiser Permanente has announced a delay for the completion of Folsom Medical Center in order to reduce costs, and Memorial Hospital in Gardena has been sold to Avanti Health System.
Stimulus Funding for COBRA Kicks In, Obama Says
On Thursday, President Obama announced that subsides allocated under the economic stimulus package to help cover health care costs under COBRA for recently laid off workers have kicked in. Boston Globe.
Annual Medicare Spending on the Rise in Fresno Region
Medicare spending increased at a higher annual rate in the Fresno region over a 14-year period than any other region in California. Nonetheless, the head of the local medical society said Medicare still spends more per beneficiary in other parts of California. Fresno Bee.
Health Care Stocks Fall as Obama Releases Budget
Health care stocks tumbled on Thursday after President Obama released his budget proposal. Managed care companies and pharmaceutical companies were hit the hardest. Los Angeles Times.
California Lawmakers Weigh Options on Health Care Under New Budget
California lawmakers are continuing discussion of efforts to expand health insurance coverage in the state, while some advocacy groups decry cuts to health care included in the budget Gov. Schwarzenegger signed last week. KQED’s “The California Report.”
Prefunding Retiree Health Benefits Could Save California $17B
Controller John Chiang says California could save money by allocating more money for retiree health care benefits each year and investing the money that isn’t needed to pay for the current year’s benefits. San Francisco Chronicle, Orange County Register.
Obama Budget Proposal Includes Plan To Fund Health Care Reform
President Obama rolled out a budget proposal today that includes more than $600 billion over 10 years to help cover the cost of overhauling the nation’s health care system. The budget proposal does not advocate a specific health care reform proposal, but congressional leaders say they will push action on health reform this year. New York Daily News et al.
New Analysis Shows Wide Regional Variation in Medicare Costs
Data published in the New England Journal of Medicine indicate that on average, Medicare spends half as much per beneficiary in San Francisco as it does in Miami. Health policy experts say the data underscore the need to revise the Medicare payment system. New York Times et al.
Opinion: State Should Not Cut Mental Health Funding
In a Sacramento Bee editorial, John Buck — CEO of Turning Point Community Programs, a not-for-profit group that provides mental health services in the Sacramento area — argues against cutting mental health services. He writes, “Regional Support Teams sustain stability, community safety and prevent clients from spiraling into costly emergency situations.” Sacramento Bee.
Sharp Increases in Alzheimer’s Cases, Costs on Horizon for California
A new report estimates that the number of Californians with Alzheimer’s disease will almost double by 2030, triggering a major jump in treatment costs. The report calls on state lawmakers to increase research funding and emphasize early screening and treatment. San Francisco Chronicle et al.