Latest California Healthline Stories
Governor Mulls Bill To Permit Routine HIV Testing in California
Under the measure, physicians would just need verbal — not written — consent from patients to administer an HIV test during a routine medical visit. Advocates say the bill would help reduce new HIV infections, especially in minority communities. Advocates say the bill would help reduce new HIV infections, especially in minority communities. Sacramento Bee, Ventura County Star.
Workers’ Comp Remains an Issue for Schwarzenegger
Dan Walters in the Sacramento Bee argues that Gov. Schwarzenegger is unlikely to sign any legislation that seeks to undo his 2004 reform measures to the state workers’ compensation system that sought to rein in businesses’ workers’ comp insurance premiums. Sacramento Bee.
Auto Workers’ Contract Agreement Would Shift Retiree Health Costs
After a two-day strike, the United Auto Workers announced a contract deal with General Motors that would shift about $50 billion in retiree health care costs from the company to the union. GM is the second-largest purchaser of health care in the U.S. Detroit Free Press et al.
House OKs Kids’ Health Bill, Lacks Votes To Overturn Veto
The House passed a compromise bill to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and provide an additional $35 billion in funding over the next five years. However, the 265-159 vote fell short of the 290 votes needed to override an expected veto from President Bush. The Senate is expected to vote on the legislation later this week. USA Today et al.
New York Governor Criticizes Cancer Treatment Ruling
New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer said he plans to file a lawsuit to challenge a decision last month by CMS that chemotherapy does not qualify for a provision of Medicaid that allows coverage for emergency services for undocumented immigrants and other noncitizens. New York Times.
Stanislaus County Clinics See Hike in Reimbursements
Seven of Stanislaus County’s safety net clinics have been awarded Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike status, which is expected to generate up to $6.4 million annually for the county in reimbursements for Medi-Cal and Medicare patients. Modesto Bee.
San Luis Obispo County May Adopt Medi-Cal Managed Care
Gov. Schwarzenegger is expected to sign a bill that would enroll San Luis Obispo County Medi-Cal recipients in a managed care system based in Santa Barbara that would improve access to care and reduce taxpayer costs. San Luis Obispo Tribune.
Leading Senate Republican Faults Bush on Kids’ Health Bill
Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley said President Bush is using the State Children’s Health Insurance Program reauthorization debate to push his own policy agenda, including revisions to the tax code that would provide deductions to individuals who purchase private insurance. Grassley said he plans to focus on passing the compromise bill, rather than negotiating with Bush. Washington Post et al.
San Mateo County Debuts Pilot Program To Expand Health Care Coverage
County officials aim to enroll more than 2,000 uninsured residents in a new program targeted at low-income people with chronic illnesses. A federal grant is funding the three-year effort, which is considered the first step in the county’s universal coverage plan. San Francisco Examiner.
New Workplace Rules Drive Drop in Heat-Related Deaths
The state safety agency through Sept. 17 had conducted 355 heat-related inspections and found 128 violations, compared with 180 inspections and 158 violators in 2006. But the United Farm Workers union said employers are circumventing the rules. Sacramento Bee.