Latest California Healthline Stories
Health Care Reform News Around the Nation for the Week of Oct. 20
A judge barred Illinois from making payments for a health care coverage expansion effort because the Legislature did not approve the plan, and Utah officials began releasing recommendations from a health care reform task force. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania moved closer to banning mandatory overtime for nurses.
Presidential Candidates Battle Over Health Care Plans
On the campaign trail and in a new television advertisement, Sen. Barack Obama has charged Sen. John McCain with planning to cut Medicare by $882 million to pay for his health care proposal. However, McCain’s top domestic policy adviser says the charge is inaccurate. New York Times.
Information Technology a Growing Force for Change in Health Care
The health care industry is incorporating health information technology applications more widely, increasing the likelihood that more health care services will be available remotely without direct personal interaction. However, security and privacy concerns remain. Wall Street Journal.
Advocates Plan Autism Campaign in California Other States Next Year
The advocacy group Autism Speaks is planning to push for legislation in California and at least nine other states that would require health insurers to cover autistic behavioral therapy. At least seven states already have approved such coverage mandates. AP/Contra Costa Times.
Parental Notification Back on California Ballot
The Sacramento Bee provides an overview of Proposition 4, which would require parental notification and a 48-hour waiting period for minors seeking an abortion. An opinion piece by Catherine Short, an attorney and co-author of Prop. 4, urges voters to approve the parental-notification measure, while an opinion piece by Cheryl Rollings — president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties — recommends that voters reject it. Sacramento Bee et al.
Cut to Ombudsman Program Raises Elder Care Concerns
Some elder-care advocates are concerned that the $3.8 million cut in state funding to California’s long-term care ombudsman program could put nursing home and residential care facility residents at risk. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s spokesperson Lisa Page said the governor is confident that California Department of Public Health inspectors will respond to nursing home residents’ needs. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of October 17, 2008
Unionized nurses at three Catholic Healthcare West hospitals in Ventura County have called off a planned strike. Meanwhile, UnitedHealth Group agreed to buy more than $10 million in bonds from Healdsburg District Hospital.
UC-Davis Launches Specialty Network for Cancer Care
The UC-Davis Cancer Center’s new specialty network formalizes collaborative agreements with cancer centers in Northern and Central California. The network will use telemedicine to let oncologists and other care providers share information and discuss treatment plans. Sacramento Business Journal.
UnitedHealth Group Reports 28% Drop in Q3 Profit
On Thursday, UnitedHealth Group reported a 28% drop in third quarter profit in part because of higher operating costs. However, the health insurer’s revenue increased 8%, meeting Wall Street expectations. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Editorial Calls Hospital Bond Measure ‘Fiscally Unsound’
An editorial in the Ventura County Star urges voters to reject Proposition 3, which would authorize $980 million in bonds to fund the construction and expansion of children’s hospitals. The editorial argues, “The main reason to vote against Proposition 3 is that in these tough times, it is fiscally unsound.” Ventura County Star.