Latest California Healthline Stories
Oakland May Add New Safety Policy at Abortion Clinics
A proposed ordinance by Oakland officials would establish an 8-foot safety zone around patients, staff and people accompanying patients at an abortion clinic. Anti-abortion activists say that the plan would infringe on free speech. San Francisco Chronicle.
House To Vote on Kids’ Health Bill With Some Concessions
The revised bill would tighten language on enrollment requirements for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program but still would increase spending to $35 billion over five years and expand coverage to 10 million children. President Bush has indicated he would accept similar legislation if it capped spending at $20 billion. New York Times et al.
Agents Raid WellCare Office in Undisclosed Investigation
Federal and state agents raided the Tampa, Fla., headquarters of health insurer WellCare as part of an undisclosed investigation. The insurer has been under scrutiny related to its Medicare plans, marketing and payment practices. Miami Herald et al.
Poll: Most U.S. Adults Back Health Plans by Democratic Candidates
A new poll shows most U.S. adults prefer health care proposals from Democratic presidential candidates to those offered by Republican candidates. The poll also shows a majority favor plans that require large businesses to offer health coverage to employees. Los Angeles Times et al.
Presidential Candidate Biden Details Health Care Reform Proposal
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Joe Biden’s plan aims to provide health coverage to all U.S. residents but would not require residents to obtain health insurance. Biden estimates that his plan would cost $80 billion to $120 billion annually. Des Moines Register et al.
House Likely To Vote on Revised Kids’ Health Insurance Bill This Week
The revised legislation would tighten language on income limits but would still aim to expand funding for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program by $35 billion over five years and add about four million children to the program. CongressDaily et al.
State Unveils New Regulations on Health Plan Cancellations
The proposed rules include requirements that insurers give advance notice before canceling an individual health insurance policy and maintain coverage during an investigation of a policyholder. The regulations reinforce existing laws forbidding insurers from canceling coverage if policyholders unintentionally misrepresented their medical history. Sacramento Bee et al.
Orange County To Overhaul Deputies’ Health Benefits
Orange County reached an agreement to cut the unfunded liability of a retiree health benefits program for sheriff’s deputies by reducing annual cost-of-living pay increases, increasing premiums and halving benefits once retirees become eligible for Medicare. Los Angeles Times.
Poll: Clinton’s Work on Health Reform a Positive
Almost two-thirds of Democrats and just under half of all voters say Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s failed efforts to overhaul health care in the 1990s would help her take on the issue as president, a nationwide survey finds. Los Angeles Times.
Senate Passes Labor-HHS Spending Bill; Veto Expected
The Senate approved by a veto-proof margin a $606 billion fiscal year 2008 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill. President Bush has threatened to veto the bill, which exceeds his request by $9 million. The bill now will go to conference with the House’s version of the bill. Reuters/Washington Post et al.