Latest California Healthline Stories
Insurance Group Offers Plan To Expand Private Coverage
The proposal from America’s Health Insurance Plans aims to make it easier for individuals to purchase health insurance on the private market by making it more difficult for insurers to deny or limit coverage for pre-existing conditions. The group will release the plan today along with a new survey on denied coverage. New York Times.
Report: State Faces $48 Billion in Unfunded Retiree Health Costs
California has not set aside funds to cover an expected $48 billion in retiree health expenses over the next 30 years. The state pays retiree costs on an annual basis, but new accounting rules require public agencies to disclose future costs. Sacramento Bee, Ventura County Star.
Fate of Health Reform Rests With Senate, California Voters
The health care reform plan backed by Gov. Schwarzenegger and Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez won a major victory Monday in the Assembly, but it has a long way to go before becoming law. Don Perata, the Senate leader, yesterday suggested that the plan is dead on arrival, while a mounting budget deficit and poor economy could hurt the plan’s chances of winning voter approval. AP/Ventura County Star et al.
Senate Approves 2008 Budget Package With Bush Requests
The $555 billion omnibus budget package approved by the Senate will return to the House for final approval after the addition of funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A White House spokesperson said President Bush most likely will sign the package. Washington Post et al.
Stakeholders Juggle Safety, Finances in Retrofitting Debate
A new California law gives hospitals more time to secure funding for construction to meet seismic safety standards, but opponents are concerned about what will happen if a major earthquake occurs before then. NPR’s “All Things Considered.”
Nursing Home Citations Increase Nationwide, Report Finds
From 2000 to 2006, the number of nursing homes receiving the most severe type of citation rose 22%, according to an analysis of CMS records. Industry officials said that more stringent inspections, rather than worsening conditions, could account for the increase. USA Today.
Stanislaus County Cancels Clinic Contract With Kaiser Permanente
The Stanislaus County Health Services Agency will cancel its contract to treat Kaiser Permanente members at county clinics. As many as 3,000 patients will need to find new physicians. Modesto Bee.
Children’s Health Extension Will Hamper State Reform
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has proposed a measure to extend the State Children’s Health Insurance Program through September 2008, but that measure “kills Gov. Schwarzenegger’s” hope for increased federal funding for health reform, according to an editorial. Sacramento Bee.
Director of California Emergency Medical Services Resigns
Cesar Aristeiguieta, director of the Emergency Medical Services Authority, said his resignation is not because of political pressure, “disappointment or lack of fulfillment.” The agency drew criticism this year for its oversight of paramedics’ licensure. Sacramento Bee.
UCLA Training Latin American Doctors To Treat U.S. Immigrants
To address a shortage of Spanish-speaking doctors, a UCLA program helps medical school graduates in Latin America obtain U.S. internships and apply for residency programs in exchange for agreeing to work in underserved areas for at least three years. Wall Street Journal.