Latest California Healthline Stories
New Jersey Needs $58B To Cover Retiree Health Care
New Jersey in 1994 stopped allocating money to a reserve fund to pay for its retiree health obligations. New Jersey officials say the state has too much debt to establish a retiree trust fund and instead will have to pay yearly benefits out of revenues. New York Times.
Health Care Concerns Push Judges To Weigh Prison Cap
California's plan to add more than 50,000 beds to its prisons and jails could further hurt efforts to boost health care and mental health care services, two federal judges ruled. They called for a three-judge panel to consider capping the state prison population, a move opposed by Gov. Schwarzenegger and Assembly Republicans. Los Angeles Times et al.
UCSF Medical School Dean Cleared on All Allegations
An audit was ordered by UC-San Francisco administrators after an anonymous tipster alleged that UCSF School of Medicine Dean David Kessler had improperly spent reserve funds and violated recruitment policies. San Francisco Chronicle.
Physicians Wary of Ratings Based on Inaccurate Data
Insurers, employers and the government increasingly are launching physician rating programs to curb costs and boost care. However, some physicians argue that the data used to create the ratings often are incorrect and that doctors have no way of correcting errors. Washington Post.
Report: Health Grades Mixed for Southern California
Schizophrenia is becoming an increasingly common diagnosis in the Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys at the same time that asthma rates and the percentage of uninsured residents are falling. Los Angeles Daily News.
Stem Cell Agency Prepping for Next Round of Grants
The California stem cell agency's leadership expects as many as 20 institutions to apply for grants to help pay for new research facilities. Grants could be awarded as early as February 2008, but a more extensive application review process could push back awards until May 2008. San Francisco Business Times.
Editorial Faults Wisconsin Universal Coverage Effort
The proposal by Wisconsin Democrats to extend health insurance to all state residents younger than age 65 would cost an estimated $15.2 billion annually — $3 billion more than the state collects in taxes. Wall Street Journal.
Democrats Request Meeting With Bush on Spending Bills
The HHS appropriations bill is one of five spending measures that President Bush has threatened to veto because it exceeds his spending recommendation. The House has passed eight of the 12 regular appropriations bills. New York Times, CQ Today.
Health Survey Expands To Include Cell Phone Users
The biannual California Health Interview Survey polls more than 42,000 of the state's households on issues such as smoking and drinking habits, and health insurance status. The study will pay cell phone participants $25 for completing the survey. Los Angeles Times.
Iraq Veterans Sue VA Over Disability Pay, Health Care Services
The class-action lawsuit claims that the Department of Veterans Affairs failed to deliver the mandatory two years of disability benefits to veterans and address long wait times for care at VA facilities. The suit was filed in federal court in San Francisco. Sacramento Bee et al.