Latest California Healthline Stories
S.F. Health Care Funding Plan Barred by Federal Law
California politicians “are engaged in a futile, costly” battle over the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, a federal law intended “to prevent schemes precisely like San Francisco’s” mandatory employer contributions under its universal health care access program, according to an editorial. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Reports Raise Questions Over Merck Actions in Studies About Vioxx
A report in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that the employees or consultants of the drug maker authored many studies on the now-withdrawn painkiller, while another report indicates that Merck downplayed the drug’s risks. USA Today et al.
Insurance Chief Advocates Just One Regulator for Health Plans
Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner called for a single regulator of the health insurance industry in California, noting that California is the only state to split regulation of the industry between two agencies. There is no legislation under consideration in Sacramento that would consolidate state oversight of health plans. Capitol Weekly.
Alzheimer’s Rally Aims To Highlight Threat to California Health System
Today’s inaugural Alzheimer’s rally, organized by the Alzheimer’s Association’s California Council, aims to increase awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and highlight the need for California to prepare for a significant increase in people living with the disease. Stockton Record.
Bipartisan Senate Panel Says FDA Budget Insufficient
During a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, a bipartisan group of senators said the Bush administration’s proposed fiscal 2009 budget increase for FDA is insufficient for the agency to adequately function amid rising costs and a growing need for more staff. New York Times.
Controversy Over Health Insurance Coverage Cancellations Continues
The Los Angeles city attorney is expected to file a lawsuit against Anthem Blue Cross for issues related to canceled health insurance policies, and a consumer advocacy group urged state regulators to order the health plan to reinstate coverage in 90 cases. Los Angeles Daily Journal.
Deficit Pushes Contra Costa County To Rework Retiree Health Benefits
County supervisors are backing a plan to end contributions to retirement health care premiums for workers hired after this year and cut benefits for other nonunion employees. The county faces a projected $2.6 billion unfunded liability for retiree health benefits. Contra Costa Times.
Lawmakers Lack Revenue To Enforce New Mandates
Dan Walters in an opinion pieces writes, “Regardless of how the state’s chronic deficit is resolved, if it ever is resolved, there’s virtually no money now or on the horizon for the new or expanded social service and health programs that liberals traditionally champion.” Sacramento Bee.
Report: Health Care System Unprepared for Aging Population
A report by the Institute of Medicine concluded that the U.S. has an insufficient number of geriatric care specialists, as the number of Americans over 65 is projected to double by 2030. The situation is especially severe in California, with a legislative report estimating that there is only one geriatrician in the state for every 4,000 seniors in the state. Wall Street Journal et al.
Medicare Might Expand Hospital Complications It Will Not Pay To Treat
Federal officials have called for adding nine hospital complications to the list of preventable conditions that Medicare will not pay hospitals to treat. CMS officials say the plan could save Medicare $50 million annually. AP/San Francisco Chronicle, CMS release.