Latest California Healthline Stories
Federal Officials, State Clash on Family Planning Program
The Bush administration is objecting to the way California statistically estimates the number of undocumented immigrants in its Family Planning, Access Care and Treatment Program. The federal government pays $315 million of the program’s $432 million annual costs, but those federal funds only can be spent on legal residents. The program provides counseling, education and birth control services to nearly 1.7 million low-income residents annually. Los Angeles Times.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of Oct. 3, 2008
California Pacific Medical Center will move ahead with plans to replace St. Luke’s Hospital with a smaller facility, while a judge orders the L.A. City Council to reconsider its approval of Providence Holy Cross Medical Center’s expansion plans.
Pentagon Seeks Medical Care Input From Service Members
The Department of Defense is asking ill or injured service members and their families to complete an anonymous, online survey about their medical care. The Pentagon hopes the surveys will help them better meet the health care needs of service members. AP/Washington Post.
VP Nominees Debate Health Care, Other Issues
On Thursday during a debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Joseph Biden and Republican vice presidential nominee Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin discussed health care and other proposals offered by their running mates. Washington Post.
Mental Health Advocates Urge House To Pass Bailout Bill
Supporters of mental health parity legislation have begun to lobby House lawmakers who voted against a financial bailout package but supported a mental health parity bill. The new Senate-approved bailout package includes mental health parity language. CQ Today, AP/St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Revolution Health Merges With Waterfront Media
Revolution Health Network has merged with Waterfront Media, a publisher that owns several health Web sites, in a deal valued at $300 million. The new company, which will operate under the name Waterfront Media, seeks to compete with online health leader WebMD. New York Times.
Governor Vetoes Workers’ Compensation Legislation
This week, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed several workers’ compensation bills. Labor groups, injured workers and their lawyers have been pushing for expanded disability benefits, but business lobbyists say increasing disability benefits would be too costly for employers. Los Angeles Times.
Proposition 4 Likely To Stand Up to Legal Challenges if Approved
With Proposition 4, abortion-rights opponents have the opportunity to overrule a state Supreme Court ruling that outlawed parental consent for minors to receive an abortion. Some believe the initiative, if approved, would survive any legal challenges. San Jose Mercury News.
Lawmakers React to Slew of Health Care Reform Vetoes
Some lawmakers said they were surprised at the number of health care-related bills Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed this week. Assembly member Hector De La Torre, whose bill would have imposed new regulations for health insurance rescissions, criticized the administration for not engaging in more negotiations with lawmakers. KQED’s “The California Report.”
Columnist Questions San Francisco’s Tobacco Sale Ban
A San Francisco Chronicle columnist argues that San Francisco’s new ban on the sale of cigarettes at pharmacies will have little impact on smoking rates. He argues that smokers will just purchase their cigarettes from other businesses. San Francisco Chronicle.