Latest California Healthline Stories
Health Care Reform News Around the Nation for the Week of June 16
The governor of Florida signed a budget with cuts to health care programs, and Pennsylvania Senate Republicans offered a proposal for health care reform. Meanwhile, Utah announced a program aimed at avoiding unnecessary visits to emergency departments by Medicaid beneficiaries.
Washington State Ballot May Include Assisted Suicide
Supporters of a proposal to allow individuals with terminal illnesses to obtain lethal prescription drugs to end their own lives are working to get the initiative on Washington state’s November ballot. Oregon is the only state to have such a law. California voters rejected a similar proposal. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Single-Payer Plan Would Be ‘Financial Train Wreck’
A study by the state’s legislative analyst has concluded that a single-payer health plan “would be a financial train wreck,” according to an opinion piece by Daniel Weintraub. He writes, “Setting aside the philosophical question about whether you want the government to manage health care, no one has figured out how to get it done.” Sacramento Bee.
Santa Clara County Hospital Bond Measure Nears Ballot
On Thursday, Santa Clara County supervisors voted to move forward with plans to place a measure on the November ballot that would authorize the county to issue $80 million in general obligations bonds to help the Valley Medical Center comply with seismic safety laws. On June 24, supervisors will cast a final vote to place the bond measure on the ballot. San Jose Mercury News.
Medical Fraud Increasing, Health Care Experts Say
Health care experts say that medical fraud is a growing problem and that more resources need to be devoted to prevention. A contributing factor to the rise in health care fraud is that Medicare pays most claims without reviewing the bills. Health care fraud costs taxpayers more than $60 billion annually, according to law enforcement authorities. Washington Post.
Study: Insurance Lobbying Leaves Patients Unprotected
Insurance industry lobbying has left states with “inadequate” protections for consumers who purchase health insurance, according to a Families USA report released Thursday. For example, 46 states do not require insurers to spend at least 75% of premiums on health care, and most states do not limit how far back an insurer can go to find a pre-existing condition to deny coverage. Miami Herald.