Latest California Healthline Stories
N.Y. Medicaid Barred From Covering Some Immigrants’ Cancer Care
CMS has ruled that undocumented immigrants cannot receive chemotherapy under a Medicaid provision. Physicians, not the federal government, should determine when chemotherapy is necessary, New York officials said on Friday in letter to the agency. New York Times.
Senate, House Reach Deal on Compromise Kids’ Health Legislation
The compromise legislation would reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and would expand funding by $35 billion over the next five years. President Bush called the measure “irresponsible” and renewed his vow to veto the bill. CQ Today et al.
Entitlement Programs’ Fiscal Stability Must Be Addressed
J.D. Foster, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, in an opinion piece criticizes Congress and the Bush administration for failing to address the long-term financial stability of Medicare and other entitlement programs. Washington Times.
California Not Prepared for Rise in Alzheimer’s Disease
The leader of the Alzheimer’s Association of Northern California/Northern Nevada argues that an “absence of leadership” in the Legislature to approve a bill to create an Alzheimer’s disease policy plan threatens California’s ability to prepare for an expected rise in cases over the next several decades. San Francisco Chronicle.
Consultant Backs Proposal To Train Nurses in Mexico
A consultant working with state officials to develop a program to train nursing students in two Mexico schools contends that the schools are up to par with schools in California. The program would help fill a shortage of nurses statewide while officials work to expand capacity at nursing programs in California. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Health Care Reform News From Around the Nation: September 24
Minnesota hospitals agree to stop charging for certain medical errors, while a survey shows a similar trend in Massachusetts. Meanwhile, Missouri Gov. Blunt proposes a three-phase plan for expanding Medicaid coverage.
Food Insecurity on the Rise in Los Angeles County
More Los Angeles County households lacked regular access to nutritious food in 2005 than did in 2002, a trend that public health officials attribute to a jump in the number of low-wage jobs in an area with a high cost of living. Los Angeles Times.
Investment Firms Acquire Thousands of Nursing Homes
Large private investors after acquiring nursing homes have been able to reduce costs, increase profits and resell the facilities for a significant profit. However, on average the nursing home residents were worse off than they were previously, and the investors sometimes cut staff below legal requirements. New York Times.
Governor, Democrats Close to a Deal on Health Care Reform Bill
Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez said that he and Gov. Schwarzenegger within two weeks will reach a compromise on a plan to overhaul California’s health care system. He noted that the main sticking points during the special session are deciding how to fund the bill and how to provide affordable health insurance coverage. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Clinton Defends Health Care Proposal on Talk Shows
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton during appearances on television talk shows on Sunday touted her proposal to expand health insurance to all U.S. residents. The plan would require large employers to offer health insurance to employees or contribute to a federal fund that would help workers purchase coverage. Washington Post et al.