Latest California Healthline Stories
L.A. County Supervisors OK $90M for Kids’ Mental Health
A federal judge requested the funds after ruling that Los Angeles County had not done enough to reform its mental health services for children after a county foster care center was closed. Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Daily News.
Health Reform Talks Snag Over Funding, Coverage Requirements
Gov. Schwarzenegger says that he will veto a Democratic health care reform plan unless it requires health care coverage for all residents and spreads the costs among everyone, not just employers. If negotiations on health care reform fail, the governor said he would consider putting his own plan up as a ballot initiative. Sacramento Bee et al.
Former Surgeon General Touts Disease Prevention
Former Surgeon General Richard Carmona argues that the U.S. health care system should focus on health and wellness, a move that he maintains could drastically reduce costs for treating chronic disease. Arizona Daily Star.
Lawmakers Approve Budget, End Delay on Medi-Cal Payments
Senate Republicans broke the nearly two-month budget impasse after several demands were met, including a promise by Gov. Schwarzenegger to use his line-item veto power to cut $700 million in spending. With the budget stalemate over, lawmakers and the governor now have time to resume negotiations on health care reform legislation. San Diego Union-Tribune et al.
Federal Regulators To Study Medication Ads’ Effects on Consumers
FDA will consider whether the format of television ads for prescription drugs downplays warnings about side effects from the medications. A pharmaceutical industry group argues that TV ads provide consumers with important information about diseases and medications. AP/Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
Poll: More California Voters Displeased With Health Care System
A new Field Poll finds growing dissatisfaction with the health care system, as well as increased backing for a single-payer health care system and a drop in support for more market-oriented approaches. About one-third of voters expect health care reform legislation to pass this year. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Aging Baby Boomers Spur Demand for Geriatricians
Geriatrics is less profitable than many other specialties, leading few new doctors to go into the high-demand field. Raising reimbursement rates would require a change in Medicare legislation. American Public Media’s “Marketplace.”
Doctors Look to Bariatric Surgery To Treat Diabetes
Some studies have found that more than 75% of diabetics do not experience symptoms of the disease after undergoing bariatric surgery, but supporters and critics of the procedure say there isn’t enough evidence to justify broadly recommending it to diabetics. Wall Street Journal.
White House Under Fire for Restricting Kids’ Health Coverage
Democrats in Congress accuse President Bush of seeking to derail legislation that would expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and pledge to try to override new rules from the administration that limit eligibility to low-income children. Boston Globe et al.
Romney Drawing Criticism for Health Care Comments
Health care advocates say former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is not accurately describing the health care law that he signed as he campaigns for the Republican presidential nomination. Boston Globe.