Latest California Healthline Stories
President Again Rejects Bill To Expand Kids’ Health Care Coverage
Congress’ second attempt to expand and reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program was vetoed on Wednesday. President Bush asked Congress to approve a temporary extension of the program before recessing for the holidays. New York Times et al.
Business Group Recommends Health Reform Principles
The National Federation of Independent Business said it prefers private insurance with a government safety net over a single-payer health care system. The group also stressed the need for portability of health insurance and recognizing the needs of small businesses and entrepreneurs. CQ HealthBeat, New York Times.
Latest Round of Stem Cell Research Grants Awarded in California
Including grants announced Wednesday, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine has awarded more than $220 million for research in 2007. Grant requests that were rejected because of a conflict-of-interest problem can be reconsidered next month. Sacramento Bee, San Diego Union-Tribune.
California Seeks $12.6M Fine for Blue Shield Cancellations
The Department of Insurance has accused Blue Shield of California Life & Health of illegally canceling individual health insurance policies after medical claims are submitted. The proposed $12.6 million fine could mark the beginning of more aggressive efforts by insurance regulators to change industry practices, but they can expect fierce opposition from insurers. Los Angeles Times.
Democrats Agree to Bush’s Spending Requests in Budget
The 2008 budget package Democrats agreed on would limit earmarks and total about $3.7 billion more than President Bush’s spending request when combined with a previously approved Defense appropriations bill. The package would include the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill and the 10 other unapproved spending bills. New York Times et al.
California Teachers’ Cancer Study Aims To Expand Project’s Scope
The California Teachers Study is an ongoing project that researches the causes of cancer among women. Researchers are requesting $1 million in additional funding to recruit more teachers who have not reached menopause to gather more comparative data. Sacramento Bee.
Senate To Take Up Revised Omnibus Spending Package
House Appropriations Committee Chair David Obey pulled the measure from consideration in the House after a presidential veto threat, but the Senate might take up the package on Thursday. The $522 billion package includes the fiscal year 2008 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill and the 10 other unapproved appropriations bills. CongressDaily et al.
Governor Pledges To Aid Effort To Overhaul Workers’ Comp Insurer
Gov. Schwarzenegger said he would work with lawmakers and Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner to help reform the State Compensation Insurance Fund, the state’s workers’ comp insurer of last resort. Poizner released an audit critical of the insurer on Tuesday. Sacramento Bee.
Hospitals Look To Reduce Readmissions To Cut Costs
Hospitals are stepping up attention to follow-up care, adherence to medication regimens and access to home health care for patients at a high risk of readmission. Spending on readmitted Medicare patients has brought increased scrutiny from regulators. Wall Street Journal.
Report: Riverside County Hospital Bed Shortage Could Worsen
Southwestern Riverside County currently has about one fewer hospital bed per 1,000 residents than the rest of the state. The shortage could become worse by 2020 if a proposed hospital isn’t built and two other medical centers aren’t expanded. Riverside Press-Enterprise.