Latest California Healthline Stories
Schwarzenegger Releases Revised Health Care Reform Proposal
In an effort to win support from some key stakeholders, Gov. Schwarzenegger modified parts of his health care reform plan dealing with employer contributions, subsidies for health insurance and fees from doctors. The changes increased the projected annual cost of the plan by $2 billion, money the governor aims to raise by leasing the state lottery. Sacramento Business Journal et al.
New Veterans Affairs’ Directive Could Limit Cancer Surveillance
An order from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs imposes new rules for researchers to access patient data. Few states have signed on to the directive, and cancer researchers say they cannot meet the conditions for using data that VA outlined in the order. New York Times.
Oxnard, Union at Odds Over Health Insurance Benefits
The city has offered to boost insurance contributions to $315 per month, but members of the Service Employees International Union Local 998 are seeking $773 per month. About 300 union workers have worked without a contract since June 30. Ventura County Star.
Assembly Leader’s Spending Included Insurer Donations
Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez made thousands of dollars in purchases on business trips using donations from lobbyists, including $290,000 from insurers. Núñez also is one of 30 legislators randomly selected to have their campaign finances audited by the Franchise Tax Board. MediaNews/Oakland Tribune.
New GM Contract Pushes Health Care Reform Research
The tentative contract would create a health care reform research institute designed to develop and assess reform initiatives. General Motors would fund the institute with $15 million over five years, but it is unclear who would manage the research institute. New York Times et al.
Health Care Reform Talks Should Not Ignore Details
An editorial criticizes Gov. Schwarzenegger for not disclosing details of his efforts to reach a deal on health care reform, while a labor advocate says that the governor and lawmakers can no longer delay taking action on reducing the number of uninsured Californians. San Diego Union-Tribune, Sacramento Bee.
Health Care Reform News From Around the Nation: October 9, 2007
About half of New Jersey residents say they would pay higher taxes to fund universal health care, according to a poll. In Texas, a four-year-old cap on awards in medical malpractice lawsuits has led to a backlog of applications from doctors seeking to practice in the state.
California Health Care Reform Could Hinge on Kids’ Insurance Deal
President Bush’s veto of a bill to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program could complicate efforts to expand children’s health insurance coverage as part of larger efforts in California to overhaul the state’s health care system. Sacramento Bee et al.
Pay-for-Performance Program Recognizes Medical Groups
The 47 California medical groups cited by the Integrated Healthcare Association’s pay-for-performance program scored the highest on preventive care, chronic care management, patient satisfaction and use of information technology. San Francisco Business Times.
Study Finds Umbilical Cord Cells Cure Blood Disorder
Researchers at Children’s Hospital and Research Center Oakland found that umbilical cord blood transfusions were more effective in curing the genetic blood disorder thalassemia than bone marrow transplants, which typically are used to cure the rare disease. Oakland Tribune.