Latest California Healthline Stories
Oakland Clinic Provides Care to Homeless Children
The clinic, affiliated with Children’s Hospital Oakland, treats children who are living on the streets, in emergency shelters or in transitional housing. The facility hopes to treat 500 children this year. Oakland Tribune.
Coverage Mandate for Women’s Cancer Vaccine Before Schwarzenegger
A bill on Gov. Schwarzenegger’s desk would require health insurers to cover the vaccine against human papillomavirus. Supporters say the measure could save lives by preventing cases of cervical cancer, which can be caused by the virus. KQED’s “The California Report.”
Eight States Challenge New Restrictions on Kids’ Insurance
Governors in New Jersey and New York are leading efforts to block federal rules limiting states’ ability to expand enrollment in the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. The Bush administration maintains that the rules will keep the program focused on low-income children. California will file a brief supporting the states in the matter. Newark Star-Ledger et al.
California Bill Aims To Hasten Investigations of Nursing Home Claims
The legislation would require the Department of Public Health to look into complaints against nursing homes within 40 days. While there is little opposition to the bill, state officials say more funding would be needed to comply with it. Los Angeles Times.
Law Extends Health Benefits for Firefighters’ Survivors
Gov. Schwarzenegger signed a law that gives survivors of federal firefighters the same health insurance benefits that firefighters and police employed by the state of California receive. Los Angeles Times.
Financing Not Detailed in Candidates’ Health Plans
Presidential candidates have not provided adequate details of how they will pay for expanded health insurance coverage, although such information will be needed to win political support for the plans. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel et al.
Medicare Rx Drug Plan Premiums Set To Increase, Report Finds
A new study finds that average Medicare prescription drug plan premiums will increase nearly 9% in 2008. Meanwhile, UnitedHealth and Humana, the two largest providers of Medicare drug plans, likely will lose more than one million dual eligibles combined in 2008. USA Today et al.
Nurses’ Union Approves Strike at Northern California Hospitals
Up to 5,500 members of the California Nurses Association plan to stage a two-day walkout at as many as 16 hospitals because of stalled contract negotiations. Union officials say that health care and retirement benefits are among the outstanding issues. AP/Sacramento Bee et al.
Health Care Reform News From Around the Nation: October 1, 2007
HHS approved an Indiana program that will increase the state cigarette tax to help cover the uninsured. Maryland also considers a higher cigarette tax to fund health care reform, while North Carolina expands a program for enrolling low-income children in health insurance.
Program Aims To Use Pharmacists To Boost Care, Lower Costs
A pilot program being conducted at several federally funded community health centers across the country aims to assess whether directly involving pharmacists in patient care can boost care quality, reduce hospitalizations and lower medical costs. USA Today.