Latest California Healthline Stories
Amgen Steps Ups Lobbying To Reverse Medicare Changes
Amgen doubled spending on lobbying to $10.2 million in 2006 to pressure lawmakers to reverse a CMS rule that will limit Medicare coverage for anemia drugs, such as the company’s Epogen and Aranesp products. Amgen says the rule will limit patients’ access to the treatments. Wall Street Journal.
Wal-Mart Broadens Employee Health Plans After Public Pressure
Lawmakers and unions in recent years have criticized Wal-Mart’s employee health benefits because of the plans’ high costs and low enrollment. The retailer in 2008 will offer employees a range of health plans at various price points. New York Times.
Medicare Prescription Drug Plans Shift Costs, Offerings for 2008
More insurers are raising premiums and increasing out-of-pocket costs for Medicare prescription drug benefit plans as the program enters its third year, prompting many beneficiaries to reexamine their options. The six-week open enrollment period launches this week. Wall Street Journal.
Drops in Employer Health Plans Spark Debate Over Alternatives
As health insurance premiums continue to rise, lawmakers, policy experts and some business leaders are debating whether a system that relies on employer-sponsored health insurance is sustainable. Stakeholders have proposed alternatives including offering tax credits for the purchase of private coverage or establishing group health “exchanges.” USA Today.
School Health Clinics Slowed by Lack of State Funding
Gov. Schwarzenegger has called for an expansion of school-based health clinics, but a lack of funding is hampering efforts to open more centers. Unlike many states, California does not set aside funding for school-based health centers. Fresno Bee.
Romney Health Plan Diverges From Massachusetts Law
Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has offered a health care proposal that does not espouse many of the provisions of the health care reform law that he signed as governor. Includes other election news. Los Angeles Times et al.
District Probes Health Risk of Schools Near Freeways
The Los Angeles Unified School District is currently building five schools within 500 feet of freeways but canceled plans to build two more following mounting evidence that road pollutants cause asthma and other respiratory illnesses. Los Angeles Times.
Drug Industry Works Against Bill on Generic Treatments
The pharmaceutical industry has mounted a fierce campaign against legislation that would bar drug makers from paying other firms to delay introducing generic versions of drugs. The bill has been considered in two other sessions of Congress. AP/Houston Chronicle.
Governor Objects to Statewide Expansion of Mental Health Courts
Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill last month that would have created more mental health courts in California, arguing that the courts would have allowed criminals to avoid punishment completely because of a mental health issue. San Francisco Chronicle.
Health Care Reform Debate Centers on Financial Issues
A columnist criticizes Gov. Schwarzenegger’s assertion that a deal on health care reform will help alleviate California’s budget deficit while an editorial supports raising the tobacco tax over leasing the lottery to help finance health care reform. Sacramento Bee.