Latest California Healthline Stories
Schwarzenegger Hopes Work on Health Care Will Aid Budget Talks
Aides to Gov. Schwarzenegger hope the governor’s agreement with Democrats on health care reform will prevent strong opposition toward his proposed budget cuts next fiscal year. Analysts estimate that California faces a $14 billion deficit. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
First Stand-Alone Medicare Rx Drug Plan OK’d in State
El Dorado Hills-based Envision Insurance has become the first stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan to be licensed in California. The state’s license for drug plans is one of the hardest to obtain because of strict financial and operational rules. Sacramento Business Journal.
Health Care Reform News From Around the Nation: January 7, 2008
Massachusetts proposes a fourfold increase of fines for violators of the state’s health insurance requirement, while New Jersey triples Medicaid payment rates for services for beneficiaries under age 21. Florida warns that a downturn in property tax revenue could hurt safety net hospitals.
Wealthy Use Health Savings Accounts as Tax Strategy
Some wealthy investors are using health savings accounts to accumulate tax-advantaged savings for use during retirement. The accounts offer lesser tax benefits for individuals in lower-income brackets or less-healthy people with high out-of-pocket expenses. Wall Street Journal, Miami Herald.
Elder Care Managers Help Families Navigate Services
Elder care managers hire nurses, social workers and counselors to assess a family’s care situation, then assist in arranging medical services or providing referrals. The profession has emerged as more elderly patients are expressing a desire to remain at home. Los Angeles Times, Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Budget Gap, Health Care Reform To Top Legislature’s Priorities
As the California Legislature begins the 2008 session today, lawmakers and Gov. Schwarzenegger are expected to focus on the state’s looming budget deficit and health care reform before tackling other issues. The governor is expected to announce across-the-board spending cuts for health care and other services to help address the $14 billion deficit. Los Angeles Daily News et al.
Medical Board Penalizes Small Portion of Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Over a six-year period, the Medical Board of California disciplined doctors in 123 out of 803 sexual misconduct cases. A spokesperson for the board said sexual misconduct allegations result in prosecution only if the facts substantiate a complaint. Ventura County Star.
Health Care Personnel Update for December 2007
Gov. Schwarzenegger announces appointments within the California Board of Pharmacy, Department of Health Care Services and Department of Veterans Affairs
Study Finds Disparities in Medicare Cancer Treatment
A study in the journal Cancer found black Medicare patients were less likely than whites to have certain surgeries, chemotherapy treatments and radiation therapies for the treatment of cancer. The racial disparity was unchanged over a 10-year period. Reuters.
Study: Cancer Risk From Air Pollution in Southern California on the Decline
Despite the decline in risk, poor air quality in the region still will cause about 1,000 to 1,200 cancer cases per one million people over age 70, according to a study by the South Coast Air Quality Management District. Los Angeles Times, AP/Ventura County Star.