Latest California Healthline Stories
Clinton Denies Support for Socialized Health Care
After being questioned by a freelance writer and Republican blogger, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton maintained that she does not support “socialized medicine.” However, she noted that countries with national health care systems provide higher-quality health care than the U.S. Washington Post, New York Times.
Bill Would Let College Students on Medical Leave Retain Insurance
The bipartisan legislation in Congress would amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and other federal laws to allow college students to continue receiving health insurance through their parents’ policies while taking up to one year of medical leave. USA Today.
Stanislaus County Clinics Hope for Reimbursement Hike
Stanislaus County’s six clinics are awaiting federal approval to receive Federal Qualified Health Center Look-Alike classification, a status that would increase reimbursements and help reduce a large deficit. Modesto Bee.
Closure of King-Harbor Hospital Could Strain Local Health Providers
Los Angeles County has a contingency plan in case the Watts hospital fails its federal inspection and is forced to shut down, but patient advocates are concerned that many nearby hospitals and clinics will have difficulty treating an influx of displaced patients. Los Angeles Times.
California Stem Cell Institute Names New Interim President
Richard Murphy, a former member of the institute’s oversight committee, has agreed to a six-month stint as interim president. Meanwhile, California education officials pitched a plan to the committee seeking funds for a stem cell research job-training program. San Diego Union-Tribune, San Francisco Business Times.
Obama Promotes Benefits for Home Health Care Workers
Obama used his participation in the Service Employees International Union’s “Walk a Day in My Shoes” program to highlight the importance of home health care workers and promote benefits including paid sick leave and vacation for service workers. Chicago Tribune et al.
California Budget Delay Puts Health Care Reform in Jeopardy
Gov. Schwarzenegger is calling on lawmakers to “look at the whole picture and go to work” on health care reform and other issues, but most California legislators and administration officials have shifted all focus to the state budget. Democratic lawmakers broke off budget negotiations Wednesday, reducing the odds of a quick resolution to the spending-plan stalemate. Los Angeles Times et al.
Safety Concerns Prompt Some States To Regulate In-Store Health Clinics
Amid concerns about the safety of retail health clinics, some states have established new restrictions, while others have banned in-store clinics altogether. There are more than 730 retail clinics throughout the U.S, and that number is likely to increase. Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe.
Contractor Seeks Withheld Pay From Prison Receiver
Medical Development International has accused California’s prison medical receiver of refusing to pay the company from September 2006 to April for transportation, scheduling and other specialty services to inmates at two state prisons. Sacramento Bee.
Washington State’s Retiree Benefits To Cost $12B by 2031
New federal accounting standards required Washington state to disclose the cost of future subsidies for retired public employees. The deputy director of the governor’s budget office said the costs are “modest” and can “fit within any budget.” Seattle Times.