Latest California Healthline Stories
CDC Report: Diabetes-Related Eye Diseases To Skyrocket
A new CDC report estimates that the number of adults age 40 and older with diabetic retinopathy will increase from 5.5 million in 2005 to 15 million in 2050, while the number of diabetics with glaucoma will quadruple to 1.4 million and the number of diabetics with cataracts will more than triple to 10 million. Elderly Hispanics and blacks will be disproportionally affected because of higher rates of type 2 diabetes. New York Times.
County Officials Back Union’s Resistance to Consolidation Plan
Officials from Sacramento and Yolo counties held a press conference to support United Healthcare Workers-West’s opposition to Service Employees International Union’s plan to consolidate UHW with two other unions. Union members have until today to vote on the plan. Sacramento Bee.
Columnist Criticizes Employer-Based Insurance
Los Angeles Times columnist David Lazarus argues that the employer-based health insurance system “fails to serve the interest of both the American people and U.S. businesses.” He adds, “The employer-based system isn’t our only choice, and we should be open to alternatives.” Los Angeles Times.
Consumer Advocates Lobby Obama for Public Health Funding
Advocacy groups are calling on President-elect Barack Obama to fully fund CDC, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and other federal agencies that have a hand in regulating matters that affect public health. San Francisco Chronicle.
Medicare, Medicaid Payments Tied to Jump in Health Care Costs
Research sponsored by hospital and insurer groups indicates that inadequate Medicare and Medicaid payments to hospitals and insurers drive up health care costs for businesses and workers. A coalition of labor unions and advocacy groups disputed the findings. Bloomberg et al.
New Veterans Medical Clinic Planned for Yuba County
Department of Veterans Affairs officials plan to open a new outpatient medical clinic in Yuba County. The new clinic is one of four new health care facilities planned for California, and one of 21 new VA clinics planned nationwide. Marysville Appeal-Democrat.
Waxman Outlines Health Care Priorities for Congress
Incoming House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Henry Waxman has begun to map out his health care priorities for the next Congress. Waxman’s priorities include increasing scrutiny of drug marketing, providing Medicaid assistance to states and expanding the State Children’s Health Insurance Plan. Wall Street Journal‘s “Health Blog.”
Poll Finds Widespread Doubts About Prospects for Health Care Reform
A Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times poll found that health care is a key concern for Americans, but almost half believe that President-elect Barack Obama will not be able to follow through on his campaign pledges regarding health care. Los Angeles Times, Bloomberg.
San Francisco Health Department Slated for Major Hit in City Budget
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is calling for the city health department to increase revenue by more than $8 million this budget year and cut about $8.5 million in services. A San Francisco supervisor is pushing for cuts to other agencies to preserve health care services. San Francisco Chronicle.
Torres Nominated for Vice Chair of Stem Cell Institute
State Treasurer Bill Lockyer has nominated Art Torres, chair of the state Democratic Party, to be vice chair of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Torres, a former state assembly member and senator, said that he also expects Lt. Gov. John Garamendi and Controller John Chiang to nominate him. The institute’s board will choose the new vice chair from candidates nominated by the state’s constitutional officers. San Diego Union-Tribune.