Latest California Healthline Stories
San Francisco Budget Plan Includes Proposed Public Health Cuts
The San Francisco Department of Public Health would see $48 million in cuts under Mayor Gavin Newsom’s budget proposal. However, funding for the Healthy San Francisco program would increase because of employer contributions and a state grant. San Francisco Chronicle.
Portions of Health Reform Plan Revived in Recent Legislation
Democratic and Republican lawmakers in California are lining up behind legislation that aims to tighten regulations on health insurers. Many of the bills mirror ideas included in Gov. Schwarzenegger’s health care reform plan, which was rejected earlier this year. A senior aide to the governor said that Schwarzenegger will offer additional ideas on health care reform in the coming weeks. Los Angeles Times.
Patient Data Breach at Walter Reed Army Medical Center
A computer file with personal information, including names, Social Security numbers and birth dates, of about 1,000 patients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and other military hospitals was exposed in a security breach, hospital officials said Monday. The hospital said it is working to notify all affected patients. AP/Argus.
Court Upholds Limits on Workers’ Comp Benefits in California
The lawsuit sought to overturn limits on the number of physical therapy and occupational health treatments that Californians could receive under the state workers’ compensation insurance system, but the court ruled that the limits are constitutional. San Francisco Chronicle.
San Francisco May Be Model for State on Retiree Benefits
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislators should be setting aside a “couple of billion dollars” to start “covering an estimated $48 billion unfunded liability for health care benefits that retired state employees enjoy,” Dan Walters writes in an opinion piece. He adds that if San Francisco voters approve Proposition B on Tuesday’s ballot, the city could be a model for the rest of the state on “hardheaded realism on public employee pensions and health care.” Sacramento Bee.
Study Finds Uninsured in Massachusetts Down by Almost Half in 2007
About 7% of adults ages 18 to 64 in Massachusetts were uninsured in 2007, down from 13% in 2006. Beginning in 2007, residents were required to report their health insurance status on state tax forms to show compliance with Massachusetts’ health insurance law. New York Times et al.
Deal With PacifiCare Over Canceled Policies Expected
The California Department of Managed Health Care says it is close to reaching a deal with PacifiCare Health Systems to reinstate coverage to patients whose policies were improperly rescinded. In May, the agency reached similar deals with Kaiser Permanente and Health Net. East Bay Business Times.
Schwarzenegger Gives Support for New Medical School at UC-Riverside
Gov. Schwarzenegger did not make any funding commitments for the proposed medical school, but a spokesperson said the governor sees a medical school at UC-Riverside as one way to help address growing demand for health services in California. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Senate Panel OKs Plan To Fund Biomonitoring Program
Last week, the Senate Budget Subcommittee on Resources approved a measure to use about $1 million in hazardous waste fees to fund the state’s biomonitoring program. The program seeks to determine how people are affected by chemical exposure based on sampling and analysis of individuals’ tissues and fluids. The Schwarzenegger administration’s finance department objects to the proposal. Inside Cal/EPA.
State Faces Steep Retiree Health Care Costs
“Private companies have reduced or even eliminated traditional retirement payouts in recent years, while politicians have sweetened benefits for government retirees,” George Skelton writes in an opinion piece. He notes that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s finance director Mike Genest estimates it will cost the state an additional $1.1 billion annually to fully fund retiree health care. The state already spends $1.6 billion on retiree health care and $4 billion on pensions. Los Angeles Times.