Latest California Healthline Stories
Congress Aims To OK Expansion of Kids’ Insurance Early in ’09
An economic stimulus package will take first priority, but Democratic congressional leaders plan to pursue efforts to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and other efforts that received bipartisan support when they reconvene next year. Wall Street Journal.
Budget Crunch Hits Orange County HIV/AIDS Foundation
The AIDS Service Foundation Orange County has stopped accepting new clients at least temporarily and cut staffing in part because of funding cuts approved in the state budget. The foundation has referred would-be clients to other providers of HIV/AIDS services. Orange County Register.
Former UCLA Medical Center Worker Enters Guilty Plea for Breaches
A former administrative specialist at UCLA Medical Center could face a 10-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine for inappropriately accessing celebrities’ medical records and selling information to the National Enquirer. AP/San Jose Mercury News.
L.A. County Supervisor Seeks To Reopen King-Harbor
Mark Ridley-Thomas, the new Los Angeles County Supervisor, said he plans to introduce a proposal for reopening Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Hospital at his first board of supervisors meeting on Tuesday and ask that the issue be discussed next week. Los Angeles Times.
Beneficiaries Should Consider Choices for Medicare Rx Plans
Seniors can benefit from comparing Medicare prescription drug benefit plans during the six-week open-enrollment period that ends Dec. 31 to avoid costly mistakes. Health policy analysts and advocates offer six tips for choosing the best Medicare drug plan. Wall Street Journal.
Zingale To Leave Governor’s Office for Health Foundation
On Monday, Daniel Zingale — a senior aide to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger who works on health care issues and first lady Maria Shriver’s chief of staff — announced that he will leave the governor’s office in January. Zingale will become a senior vice president for policy and communications for the California Endowment. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Children’s Health Care a Priority for New California Legislature
Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg listed universal coverage for children as one of four early priorities for the new California Legislature. Before lawmakers can move forward on those priorities, they will have to hash out an agreement to close the state’s budget gap. Gov. Schwarzenegger has called a special legislative session on the budget. Sacramento Bee et al.
Baucus, Physician Respond to Health Care Reform Editorial
In a letter to the editor, Sen. Max Baucus defended his health care reform proposal after the Wall Street Journal editorial board argued that it would dramatically increase regulation. Meanwhile, Richard Amerling, director of outpatient dialysis at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, argued against single-payer health care. Wall Street Journal.
Economic Downturn Could Compromise Funding for Medicare
CMS’ chief actuary said that the segment of Medicare that covers nursing home and inpatient hospital charges could become insolvent one to three years earlier than previously thought because of a drop in payroll taxes stemming from the economic downturn. AP/Boston Globe.
Governors Push Request for $40 Billion To Shore Up Medicaid Programs
The National Governors Association is asking Congress to provide at least $20 billion in additional funding for state Medicaid programs for two years. Gov. Schwarzenegger will be among the 40 governors to meet with President-elect Barack Obama at an NGA meeting today. Washington Post et al.