Latest California Healthline Stories
Line-Item Vetoes in California Budget Cut Into Health Efforts
Gov. Schwarzenegger used his line-item veto authority to cut another $510 million from the budget that he signed on Tuesday. Health and human services accounted for more than $150 million of the last-minute cuts, and officials in Humboldt County have begun detailing cuts to services for seniors, people with mental illnesses and other groups. Eureka Reporter.
Poll Finds More Support for Parental Notification Measure
A new Public Policy Institute of California poll released on Thursday found that Proposition 4, the ballot initiative that would require parental notification for minors seeking an abortion, is leading 48% to 41%. Meanwhile, a Los Angeles Times editorial urges California voters to reject Proposition 4. Ventura County Star, Los Angeles Times.
Fresno County Supervisors Reject Proposed Health Cuts
On Tuesday, Fresno County supervisors rejected a plan to cut $2 million from the Department of Public Health budget, arguing that it would shift costs to other agencies. However, the supervisors did agree to a separate plan that would cut the Department of Behavioral Health’s budget by $1.6 million. Fresno Bee.
California Senate Candidates Discuss Budget, Health Care
At a forum broadcast last night, Assembly members Greg Aghazarian and Lois Wolk, candidates for an open seat representing California’s 5th Senate District, discussed the state’s budget and health care reform efforts. Stockton Record.
Advocates Criticize Changes to Medi-Cal Eligibility Checks
New rules included in the state budget that Gov. Schwarzenegger signed this week will require children enrolled in Medi-Cal to verify eligibility for the program twice per year instead of once. Critics say the move will lead to many children being dropped from the program because of paperwork problems. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Consumers See Retail Clinics as Option Outside of Health Care System
New research shows that retail health clinics are appealing to people who do not regularly use the traditional health care system. The study’s authors contend that retail health clinic users often are attracted by the convenience and price of services at the clinics. Chicago Tribune.
Many Kids in Medicaid Have Untreated Tooth Decay, Report Finds
Research from the Government Accountability Office indicates that as many as one-third of the 20 million children enrolled in Medicaid had not received dental care in the past 12 months and that 6.5 million child Medicaid beneficiaries have untreated tooth decay. Reuters.
Stem Cell Board To Consider Grant Appeals Process
At a meeting in San Diego today, the state stem cell institute’s board will consider establishing a formal process to allow scientists to appeal grant application reviews that might include errors that mistakenly prevent them from obtaining funding. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Premiums on the Rise for Employer-Based Health Insurance Plans
Premiums for employer-sponsored health plans have more than doubled since 1999 and now exceed $12,000 annually for family coverage, according to a study released on Wednesday. Advocates say continued premium increases underscore problems in the health care system. McClatchy/Miami Herald et al.
Eli Lilly, Merck To Disclose Payments to Physicians
On Wednesday, drugmaker Eli Lilly announced that it would post information online detailing fees it pays to doctors for speaking engagements or consulting services beginning next year, and rival Merck followed suit later that day. Congress has been pushing for a national registry of drugmaker payments to physicians. New York Times.