Latest California Healthline Stories
Novartis CEO Discusses U.S. Health Care Reform
Daniel Vasella in an interview said that the U.S. should work to boost patient education and nutrition, provide incentives for residents to engage in healthy behaviors, enhance health care data management and reduce liabilities for providers and pharmaceutical companies. New York Times.
Philanthropist Gives UCLA $20M for Stem Cell Research
The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation will provide money for equipment, research grants and faculty endowments at UCLA. The foundation has left the door open for future donations to stem cell research. Meanwhile, private businesses offered input to state officials about policies governing state grants for stem cell research to for-profit enterprises. Los Angeles Times, San Diego Union-Tribune.
Democratic Candidates for President Debate Health Care
Seven Democratic presidential candidates during a debate that aired on Univision discussed health care among other issues. Several of the candidates, including Sen. Barack Obama and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, pushed universal health care proposals. USA Today et al.
Kaiser’s First-Half Profit Exceeds For-Profit Insurers’
Kaiser Permanente’s earnings in the first half of 2007 outpaced its for-profit competitors in California. Not-for-profit Kaiser reinvests earnings into its health care system, such as investment in new facilities. Sacramento Business Journal.
Community Leaders Respond To Closure of King-Harbor
The closure last month of Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Hospital left a gap in health care services for low-income residents of South Los Angeles. Local health care professionals and advocates debate the future of the facility. Los Angeles Times.
Health Care Reform News From Around the Nation: September 10
Illinois governor moves ahead with plans to expand insurance coverage for seriously ill children, while New York state officials kick off a series of hearings to consider options for overhauling the state health care system and enrollment climbs in Nevada’s version of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program
California Health Care Reform Could Rely on Voter Approval
The Legislature likely will pass the Democrats’ health care reform bill early this week. However, lawmakers expect Gov. Schwarzenegger to veto the measure and call a special legislative session to continue the debate and help craft a ballot measure that would let voters decide whether health care expansion is worthy of a tax increase. New York Times et al.
California Lawmakers OK Changes to Nursing School Admissions
The Senate passed a measure to let nursing programs at community colleges adopt merit-based admissions protocols. Meanwhile, the Assembly approved reforms to the state chiropractic board, and an editorial championed a bill to require coverage for a cancer vaccine. Fresno Bee et al.
U.S. Rejects New York Plan To Expand Kids’ Insurance
CMS denied New York’s request to expand State Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage to children in families with incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level. New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer said the state is preparing a lawsuit to contest the new guidelines. New York Times et al.