Latest California Healthline Stories
San Francisco Faces Cuts to Health Care, Other Programs
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is scheduled to present a series of proposals aimed at addressing a budget deficit upwards of $575 million. Newsom’s plans will call for eliminating some health services, but a San Francisco supervisor is expected to present a counterproposal intended to stave off deep cuts to health care. San Francisco Chronicle.
California Breaks Top Half in Annual State Health Rankings
A study by the United Health Foundation ranked California the 24th healthiest state in the nation, despite having a higher-than-average percentage of uninsured residents. The study found that California’s obesity rate has more than doubled since 1990. Sacramento Business Journal.
SEIU President Outlines Expectations for Obama
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Service Employees International Union President Andy Stern discussed his expectations for President-elect Barack Obama, including universal health care. Stern said he supported a Western European Model that includes universal health care, widespread unionization, stronger regulations on business, profit-sharing for employees and higher taxes. Wall Street Journal.
U.S. Residents Asked To Weigh In on Priorities for Health Care Reform
A nationwide campaign will solicit Americans’ views on health care reform as part of a strategy by President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team to gear up for action on health care reform. Former Sen. Tom Daschle — Obama’s pick for HHS secretary — kicked off the campaign last week. Denver Post et al.
Steinberg Outlines Plan for Universal Coverage for Children
California Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg has asked the California Endowment and the state First 5 Commission to kick in $50 million each to help expand health insurance coverage to all California kids. The money would be used to draw matching funds from the federal government after President-elect Barack Obama takes office. Sacramento Bee, San Jose Mercury News.
Governor Opposes Salary Plan for Stem Cell Institute Leaders
Citing the state deficit, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in a letter to the state stem cell institute’s board expressed concern about its plan to set salaries for the chair and vice chair of its board. For the past three years, no one in those positions has accepted compensation. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Obama Touts Medicaid, Health IT Funds as Part of Economic Stimulus
President-elect Barack Obama has detailed plans to include additional funding for state Medicaid programs and health information technology efforts in a proposed economic stimulus package that he hopes to sign soon after being inaugurated. Obama did not specify how much the efforts would cost. Long Island Newsday et al.
Health Care Reform News Around the Nation for the Week of Dec. 8
A number of states are considering scaling back public health insurance programs in the face of widening budget deficits. For example, Washington state is moving to limit enrollment in a program for low-income residents, and Minnesota is among the states considering hiking its state tobacco tax to cover health care costs.
Efforts To Develop Med School at UC-Merced Encounter Hurdles
A series of articles published over three days highlights efforts to develop a new medical school at UC-Merced. Supporters of the plan say it would help improve access to care in the San Joaquin Valley, but budgetary limitations are growing challenges to the proposal. Merced Sun-Star.
CalPERS Sees Sharp Drop in Portfolio as Market Falls
Since its peak in October 2007, CalPERS’ portfolio has lost more than 30% of its value. CalPERS could ask state and local employers to raise their contributions to the pension fund if the declines continue. CalPERS purchases health care benefits for about 1.6 million California workers, retirees and their families. San Francisco Chronicle.