Latest California Healthline Stories
Kaiser Awarded $12M in Donations, Grants in Q3
On Tuesday, Kaiser Permanente announced that it awarded more than 490 grants and donations totaling about $12 million in the third quarter. The grants include $300,000 for a Los Angeles County pilot program that will place homeless individuals in an intensive mental illness-addiction treatment program and $200,000 for the Vacaville Unified School District of Northern California’s Healthy Eating, Active Living Local Partnership Grant BMI Intervention Study. San Francisco Business Times.
Democrats in Congress Prepare To Push Action on Medicare Spending
Regardless of who is elected president next week, Democrats in Congress are gearing up to address the growth in Medicare spending. Both Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama have said they would not reduce Medicare benefits, but the candidates diverge on other issues. Wall Street Journal.
More Drug-Resistant Staph Infections Arise in Community Settings
Physicians at an infectious disease conference said that methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections are increasingly spread in community settings, marking a shift in where the infection was most often found. Researchers say that the infections are becoming resistant to more treatments. AP/Arizona Daily Star.
SEIU Urges Against Health Care Cuts in Special Budget Session
Gov. Schwarzenegger plans to issue an order on Nov. 5 calling the Legislature back into session to address a widening budget gap, economic stimulus plans and unemployment. The Service Employees International Union is lobbying against cuts to health care, schools and other programs. AP/Oakland Tribune, Sacramento Bee.
Editorial: Obama’s Health Care Plan a ‘Better Start’
A New York Times editorial argues that Sen. Barack Obama’s health care reform plan is a “better start” than Sen. John McCain’s proposal. It calls McCain’s plan “far too risky” but notes that Obama’s plan “is still not likely to help all Americans who need and deserve affordable, high-quality medical care.” Meanwhile, KQED’s “Forum” discussed the presidential candidates’ health care plans. New York Times, KQED’s “Forum.”
Senior Advocates Decry California Budget Cuts
In Ventura County on Monday, senior advocates warned that state budget cuts could threaten senior programs — leaving residents at nursing homes and senior care facilities vulnerable to health care problems, abuse and neglect. Ventura County Star.
Stanford, UC-Irvine Break Ground on Stem Cell Centers
UC-Irvine and Stanford University recently broke ground on two stem cell research facilities set to be among the largest in the country. Stanford’s 200,000-square-foot, $200 million facility and UC-Irvine’s $66.6 million center are set to open in 2010. Orange County Register, San Jose Mercury News.
Court Battle Over Money for New Prison Health Facilities Escalates
Gov. Schwarzenegger and state Controller John Chiang might be held in contempt of court if the state doesn’t turn over $250 million to prison health care receiver J. Clark Kelso, a federal judge ruled Monday. Kelso requested the money to construct prison health care facilities. Stockton Record et al.
California Safety Net Health Coverage Out of Reach for Many
Limited funding, benefit caps and high premiums are making California’s Major Risk Medical Insurance Program inaccessible to many state residents who can’t buy private coverage because of pre-existing conditions. Last month, the governor vetoed a bill that would have added a new assessment on health insurers to help fund an expansion of the program. Los Angeles Times.
Opposing Sides of Proposition 4 Target Hispanic Voters
As Nov. 4 approaches, opponents and proponents of a measure that would require parental notification for minors seeking an abortion are targeting Hispanic voters. Two previous attempts to require parental notification have failed on statewide ballots. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”