Latest California Healthline Stories
Obama Taps Daschle To Head HHS, New Office for Health Care Reform
President-elect Barack Obama yesterday nominated former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle as HHS secretary. Obama said Daschle also will take a lead role in crafting the administration’s proposal to overhaul the U.S. health care system. Reuters et al.
L.A. County CEO: Use Reserve Funds for Mental Health Care
On Thursday, Los Angeles County officials said that they have identified $33 million in budget savings and that they are prepared to make budget cuts. Los Angeles County CEO Bill Fujioka recommended in a new report that the board of supervisors authorize transferring $18 million from a reserve fund to the Department of Mental Health to ensure the continuation of psychiatric care. Los Angeles Daily News.
Kids’ Health Insurance, Health IT On Tap for Funds in Stimulus
Democratic congressional leaders are working to craft an economic stimulus package that includes additional federal funding to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and boost adoption of health information technology. Lawmakers’ opinions are mixed on whether funding for SCHIP should be included in the stimulus package. CQ HealthBeat et al.
Proposed Prison Hospital in Camarillo Encounters Local Resistance
If a new prison hospital is built in Ventura County, residents say they are worried that the facility will lure health care professionals away from area hospitals. Residents’ concerns will be addressed in an environmental impact report that will be released in the spring. Ventura County Star.
Obama To Set Health Agenda, Tap Daschle as HHS Secretary
At a news conference today, President-elect Barack Obama is expected to announce his health care priorities and formally tap former Sen. Tom Daschle as his HHS secretary. Washington Times.
Profit for Medicare Advantage Plans in 2006 Exceeds Projections
Research by the Government Accountability Office shows that Medicare Advantage plans’ profit was $1.6 billion above expectations for 2006. The report is slated for release today and likely will fuel calls for the government to reduce payments to private insurers participating in Medicare. AP/Albany Times Union.
More San Francisco Budget Cuts Necessary Next Year
On Wednesday, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom called on the Public Health Department and other agencies to cut another 12.5%, or $144.7 million, out of their budgets next year. The health department already announced about $17 million in midyear cuts. San Francisco Chronicle.
California Budget Deficit Grows; Schwarzenegger Urges Immediate Action
California’s budget deficit for the current fiscal year has increased to $14.8 billion, several billion dollars more than originally projected. Last month, the Legislature deadlocked over a plan that would have cut spending and raised taxes. AP/San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News.
California Health Care CEOs Push for Health Care Reform
In an opinion piece, Lloyd Dean, president and CEO of Catholic Healthcare West, and Bruce Bodaken, chair and CEO of Blue Shield of California, argue that health care reform can succeed, “but it will require the key players in the health care system to take risks and make compromises to be part of the solution.” They urged other health care leaders to join their new coalition, called “Health CEOs for Health Reform.” San Francisco Chronicle.
Stem Cell Agency OKs Salary; Roth Named for Vice Chair
Despite a letter from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger expressing concern about providing compensation to officials at the state stem cell agency, California’s Institute of Regenerative Medicine has approved a $150,000 salary for Robert Klein, chair of the agency’s Independent Citizen’s Oversight Committee. Meanwhile, Schwarzenegger on Tuesday nominated Duane Roth, a member of the Independent Citizen’s Oversight Committee, to be the agency’s next vice chair. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”