Latest California Healthline Stories
Sonoma County Health Care Providers Brace for Proposed Medi-Cal Cuts
Gov. Schwarzenegger has proposed eliminating optional health benefits, lowering income eligibility, and dropping payments to health care providers by 10%. Opponents warn that the cuts could push doctors out of Medi-Cal and lead to beneficiaries losing coverage. Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
Irvine Moves Forward With Children’s Health Program
On Tuesday, a divided Irvine City Council agreed to move forward with the Irvine Children’s Health Program designed to provide health care to uninsured children in the city. Up to $200,000 already is allocated for the program. In addition, the council unanimously voted to provide $100,000 to the financially struggling Irvine Adult Day Health Care Center. Orange County Register.
Developers See Dearth of High-End Retirement Facilities in California
Several new luxury retirement communities are in development in California, and developers say the state has a shortage of such accommodations. Most high-end facilities include assisted living units for residents to transition to when they need more care. Los Angeles Times.
Former eBay CEO Talks About Health Care Issues
At the National Federation of Independent Business conference on Monday, former eBay President and CEO Meg Whitman spoke to small-business owners about rising health care costs. She said, “Health care expenses are killing employers.” Washington Post‘s “Small Business Blog.”
Appeals Court Listens to Medical Marijuana Debate
At a San Diego hearing Tuesday, attorneys for San Diego and San Bernardino counties argued that California’s medical marijuana law conflicts with federal rules and should be overturned. Supporters of the state law — including the American Civil Liberties Union, the state attorney general’s office and medical marijuana patients — argue that marijuana helps patients with chronic illnesses relieve pain. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Proposals Would Threaten Security of Patients’ Rx Data
An editorial argues that two proposals by state officials “would weaken the security of California residents’ prescription records.” Sen. Ron Calderon (R-Montebello) has introduced a bill that would let pharmacies share prescription data with pharmaceutical companies, while Attorney General Jerry Brown (D) has announced a plan to let health care providers, medical regulators and law enforcement officials access an online database of prescriptions for controlled substances. Los Angeles Times.
New Report Finds U.S. Life Expectancy Hits Record High
Research from a unit of CDC found that Americans’ average life span hit 78.1 years in 2006. The data show that women on average outlive men by more than five years and that gaps in life expectancy and mortality based on race and ethnicity persist in the U.S. Heart disease was the leading cause of death in 2006, followed by cancer. Washington Post et al.