Latest California Healthline Stories
U.S. House Member Touts Panel To Rework Entitlement Programs
Virginia Republican Frank Wolf is calling on President-elect Barack Obama and Congress to establish a bipartisan commission to overhaul Medicare, Social Security and other entitlement programs. Wolf said the move could be undertaken as part of an economic stimulus package. CongressDaily.
Stem Cell Research Efforts Limited by Egg Shortage
California’s stem cell research efforts are limited by regulations that prohibit paying women to become egg donors. Meanwhile, Robert Klein, chair of the state stem cell institute’s oversight board, said that California voters likely will get a chance to extend taxpayer funding of stem cell research beyond the $3 billion that already has been committed. An editorial calls for reforming the institute. San Diego Union-Tribune, Sacramento Bee.
Health Care Reform News Around the Nation for the Week of Nov. 24
Michigan’s attorney general and consumer advocates urged state lawmakers not to approve legislation permitting the state’s insurer of last resort to restructure. Meanwhile, the governor of Louisiana rolled out a plan to overhaul the state’s Medicaid program.
Health Experts Question Viability of Health Insurance Safety Net
California’s Major Risk Medical Insurance Program provides coverage to state residents who are considered medically uninsurable in the commercial market, but caps on enrollment and benefits are drawing criticism from some health policy experts. Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill that would have reworked the program’s funding mechanism and eliminated the benefit caps. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
New Blood Moves Into Leadership Positions in California Health Agency
Sandra Shewry and Stan Rosenstein will leave the Department of Health Care Services next month. Gov. Schwarzenegger appointed David Maxwell-Jolly to replace Shewry as the director of the department and Toby Douglas to replace Rosenstein as Medi-Cal director. Sacramento Business Journal.
Waxman Wins Energy and Commerce Committee Chair
On Thursday, House Democrats elected Rep. Henry Waxman as chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, replacing the longest-serving member of the House, Rep. John Dingell. Waxman is expected to help advance President-elect Barack Obama’s efforts to expand health insurance coverage. Los Angeles Times.
Kaiser Gets Top Ranking in Annual HMO Quality Scorecard
Quality ratings for five of California’s nine largest HMOs improved, with Kaiser Permanente plans in Northern and Southern California receiving the highest ranking available for care quality in an annual report released by the state. Member satisfaction dropped for three of the HMOs in the report card, which also considered medical groups. Sacramento Bee et al.
Democratic Leaders Put Off Work on Stimulus Package Until January
Democratic leaders said they will resume work on the package in January, when they expect to have more support for their plan. A stimulus package by Senate Democrats would boost federal Medicaid funding, and the House already approved a plan that also would raise Medicaid funding. Wall Street Journal.
Meetings Nationwide Underscore Demand for Health Care Reform
A series of town hall meetings yesterday coincided with the release of a poll showing wide expectations for action on health care reform by President-elect Barack Obama. However, the economy and other issues could raise challenges. San Francisco Chronicle, PBS’ “NewsHour.”
Mental Health Staff’s Reliance on Police Raises Concerns
On Thursday, Los Angeles County mental health commissioners asked the Department of Mental Health to present by early next month a plan to end the practice of forwarding emergency calls to police. Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Daily Journal reported that mental health workers increasingly are forwarding emergency calls to police because of a shortage of beds. Los Angeles Times.