Latest California Healthline Stories
Number of Uninsured in U.S. Up to 47 Million, New Census Data Show
The uninsured population in the U.S grew by 2.2 million from 2005 to 2006, a move researchers attributed largely to a decline in employer-sponsored health insurance. Of the 47 million uninsured U.S. residents, about 6.7 million live in California, according to the Census data. USA Today et al.
Talks on Health Care Overhaul Plan Inching Toward Compromise
Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez and Gov. Schwarzenegger have been working on a compromise health care reform plan that would require all California residents to obtain health care coverage. The plan includes a ballot initiative to raise funds for the plan through mandatory employer and hospital contributions, and possibly a sales tax increase. Los Angeles Times et al.
Edwards, Clinton Highlight Health Care Positions Over Labor Day
Former Sen. John Edwards said his health insurance proposal would require U.S. residents to receive preventive care, while Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said one of her four goals as president would be to provide all residents with affordable, quality health care. AP/San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Health Care Reform News From Around the Nation: September 4
Colorado issues fifth in a series of proposals to overhaul state health care system, while Kansas advisory councils tout health insurance requirements; Florida proposes reduced Medicaid payments to hospitals, and Illinois governor cuts state budget to boost health care spending
California Health Reform Debate Elicits Commentary
Newspapers over the past week published opinion pieces, editorials and columns addressing health care reform efforts in California, weighing the options under consideration in the Legislature and urging Gov. Schwarzenegger and the Legislature to weigh the implications of health reform in California. Los Angeles Times et al.
Health Care Personnel Update for August 2007
State Compensation Insurance Fund appoints new president; California Institute for Regenerative Medicine chief scientific officer resigns
Forum Solicits Presidential Candidates’ Cancer Stances
Democratic and Republican presidential candidates at a forum last week discussed issues related to cancer and health care. In related news, Republican candidate Mitt Romney last week outlined his health care proposal, which would let states develop their own plans to expand access to health insurance. AP/Houston Chronicle et al.
Governor Signs $145B Budget With Cuts to Medi-Cal, Mental Health
Gov. Schwarzenegger signed the state budget last week, after trimming the operating deficit to zero. Health care advocates expressed outrage over cuts to a program that provides mental health services to the homeless and other health care efforts. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
State Workers’ Comp Insurer Details Internal Changes
The State Compensation Insurance Fund issued a report documenting changes to administrative policy that are intended to get the organization “back on track” after an audit that uncovered financial misconduct and forced the retirement of two top officials last year. Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee.
Report Finds Racial, Ethnic Gaps in Life Expectancy
New research from the Public Policy Institute of California finds that Asians and Hispanics in California have longer life expectancies than other racial and ethnic populations and that whites continue to have longer life expectancies than blacks in California. Los Angeles Times et al.