Latest California Healthline Stories
Four California Counties Recognized for Work Expanding Health Care
Humboldt, Fresno, Santa Cruz and Solano counties have been able to expand access to health care in part by making it easier to get services at health clinics and identifying people eligible for publicly funded programs, according to a new UC study. Eureka Reporter.
State Analyst Faults Governor’s Proposed Spending Plan
Legislative Analyst Elizabeth Hill urged legislators to reject Gov. Schwarzenegger’s proposal for across-the-board spending cuts, arguing that reducing Medi-Cal reimbursement rates would exacerbate a state doctor shortage and force patients to seek care in more costly emergency departments. The governor suggested the cuts to address the state’s budget deficit. Los Angeles Times et al.
Survey: Hispanics Concerned Most About Health Care
Twenty-five percent of Hispanics said they were concerned about losing their health insurance coverage, compared with 12% of whites, according to a survey conducted for the Rockefeller Foundation. In addition, 26% of Hispanics said they had not gone to a doctor because of the cost, compared with 17% of whites. Dallas Morning News.
Supreme Court Raises Bar on Lawsuits Against Medical Device Makers
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that consumers cannot bring lawsuits against medical device makers in state courts if the device in question has undergone premarket approval by FDA. The ruling is considered a victory for the Bush administration. New York Times et al.
Schwarzenegger Plan To Combat Obesity Draws Criticism in Senate
Sen. Alex Padilla faulted Gov. Schwarzenegger for inaction on an anti-obesity plan the governor announced in 2005. Padilla plans to re-introduce a bill the governor vetoed last year that would force restaurants to provide more nutritional information. Sacramento Bee.
States Review Age Limits for Dependent Coverage
In an effort to reduce the number of uninsured, states are reassessing the age limits for young adults to stay on family health policies. In the past two years, 17 states have passed laws to allow dependents to retain coverage under family policies until their mid-twenties. The Commonwealth Fund estimates that 1.4 million more people would be insured if every state extended dependent coverage to at least 23. AP/Houston Chronicle.
Drug Prices Continue To Rise Despite Candidate Criticism
Pharmaceutical companies continue to raise the prices of prescription drugs, despite pleas from all three major presidential candidates to make them more affordable. Some analysts say drug makers are raising prices in preparation for drug patent expirations and possible government regulation changes. Wall Street Journal.
Los Angeles County Must Preserve Health Clinics
A proposal before the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to turn health care clinic functions over to private not-for-profits could help reduce the Department of Health Service’s $195 million deficit. However, “[r]eductions in the current level of clinic services would be self-defeating in that any initial cost savings would pale in comparison to the ER gridlock that would result,” according to an editorial. Los Angeles Daily News.
Los Angeles Sues Health Net Over Policy Cancellation Practices
The lawsuit, filed by Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, alleges that Health Net engaged in an illegal scheme to cancel policies if patients needed expensive treatment. Health Net denied the claim and said the suit was duplicative of other enforcement efforts. Los Angeles Times.
California Tackles Racial Disparities in Infant Mortality Rates
Black infants in the state are twice as likely to die by their first birthday as infants in other racial groups. State programs aim to reduce the disparities by increasing black women’s access to quality health care and promoting healthy lifestyles. Contra Costa Times.