Latest California Healthline Stories
States Turn To Tobacco Funds To Deal With Budget Deficits
Because of budget deficits, states nationwide are considering plans to shift money from tobacco taxes and settlements with tobacco firms that are earmarked for health care and other purposes. Gov. Schwarzenegger and Republican legislators have offered such proposals in California. New York Times.
Advocates Call On California Lawmakers To Reject Medi-Cal Changes
A proposal to tighten eligibility for Medi-Cal in Gov. Schwarzenegger’s latest budget plan drew opposition from advocates at the California Center for Research on Women and Families’ policy summit yesterday. About 800 people attended the session. Sacramento Bee.
El Dorado Program Helps Cut Non-Emergency ED Visits
A community partnership in El Dorado County, called ACCESS El Dorado, helps uninsured and underinsured families learn about health insurance options and buy low-cost coverage. A recently released Sphere Institute report found that non-emergency visits to the emergency department decreased 40% for children in the program. Sacramento Business Journal.
Budget Crunch Could Halt Medical Construction Projects
California’s budget crunch could derail construction of new medical facilities at UC-Irvine and UC-Santa Cruz. UC-Irvine does not have sufficient funds to continue work on its Telemedicine/Medical Education Building after the end of January, and UC-Santa Cruz is asking firms to hold bids open longer than usual for a new biomedical research facility. Orange County Register‘s “Science Dude,” Santa Cruz Sentinel.
House, Senate Schedule Votes on Kids’ Health Insurance Expansion
Today, the House is expected to approve its version of legislation to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. A Senate committee is expected to take up a separate version of the bill tomorrow, and the Senate could vote on it after it considers wage discrimination legislation. Washington Post et al.
Pick for Budget Director Urges Action on Rising Health Costs
At his Senate confirmation hearing, Peter Orszag, President-elect Barack Obama’s pick for director of the Office of Management and Budget, said rising health care costs are the main cause of the country’s long-term budget problems. He made several recommendations for increasing health care efficiency, including greater use of health information technology and new incentives for disease prevention. New York Times.
State Budget Deficits Force Cuts in Medicaid, Other Health Programs
As many as 40 states could face budget deficits over the next two years, pushing many to consider cutting their Medicaid programs and other public health care efforts. Some officials warn that Medicaid funding in a proposed economic stimulus package might fall short of states’ needs. Los Angeles Times.
CMS Takes Action Against WellPoint Rx Benefit Medicare Plans
WellPoint has been banned from adding new customers to its Medicare plans because of concerns that the insurer denied needed prescription drugs to members. WellPoint says it has made “significant progress” in addressing the problems. Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times, Dow Jones.
Business Group Pushes Provisions on Health Care Costs in Stimulus
The National Business Group on Health is lobbying members of Congress to include provisions focused on reining in health care cost increases in a proposed economic stimulus plan. Meanwhile, health IT experts said funding for electronic health records in the stimulus could boost adoption. CQ HealthBeat et al.
Stem Cell Institute Board Member Receives Warning
Burnham Institute President John Reed has received a warning letter from the state Fair Political Practices Commission after an appeal letter he wrote to the state stem cell institute triggered a complaint that he violated state conflict-of-interest law. The commission ruled that Reed, a board member of the state stem cell institute, violated the spirit of the law because he “intended to influence a decision that had the potential to affect his economic interests.” San Diego Union-Tribune.