Latest California Healthline Stories
Cancer Death Rates Continue To Fall, Report Finds
The 2.1% decrease in the rate of U.S. cancer deaths annually between 2002 and 2004 is almost twice the decline annually between 1993 and 2002. The report attributed much of the decrease in the rate of cancer deaths to a decline in the rate of colorectal cancer deaths. USA Today et al.
Bush, Democrats Likely To Spar Over Spending Bills
President Bush has threatened to veto eight of the 12 fiscal year 2008 appropriations bills, which would increase funds for medical research, community health centers and other domestic programs. Bush has proposed to reduce funds for programs covered under the FY 2008 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill by $3.6 billion from FY 2007, while Democrats have proposed to increase the funds by $7 billion to $9 billion. AP/Long Island Newsday, AP/Omaha World-Herald.
House Democrats Pledge New Kids’ Health Bill if Veto Override Fails
House Republicans maintain that they have the votes to sustain President Bush’s veto of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program legislation. Meanwhile, House Democrats say they will introduce another SCHIP bill if they are unable to override the veto. Los Angeles Times et al.
Legislative Hurdles Ahead for Governor’s Health Reform Plan
A key Assembly Democrat warned that Gov. Schwarzenegger’s health reform plan might not get a hearing in his committee until January 2008, saying that the Legislature should take time to carefully study funding options for health care reform. Sacramento Bee et al.
Drug Makers Launch Pay-for-Performance Plans in Europe
Some government-run health systems in Europe have established pay-for-performance contracts with prescription drug makers for including drugs on their formularies. Cigna and Aetna are pursuing pay-for-performance programs with drug makers in the U.S. Wall Street Journal.
McCain Details Proposal To Expand Health Care Insurance, Reduce Costs
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) announced a proposal that includes tax credits to help lower-income residents buy private health insurance but would not make coverage mandatory. McCain did not estimate the cost of his plan. Des Moines Register et al.
Schwarzenegger Takes Action on Health Care-Related Legislation
Gov. Schwarzenegger signed bills aimed at protecting access to health care and mental health services for foster children and collecting umbilical cord blood. Meanwhile, the governor vetoed a measure to boost state oversight of the chiropractic board. San Francisco Chronicle et al.