Latest California Healthline Stories
Democratic Candidates Tackle Health Care in YouTube/CNN Debate
Responses to questions about health care highlighted differences among the eight Democratic presidential candidates. U.S. residents submitted questions for the debate via YouTube; Republican candidates will have a similar debate in September. New York Times et al.
Physician Health IT Use Linked to Quality of Care, Data Suggest
A California pay-for-performance program found that physician groups that meet criteria for IT score higher on other program measures, a finding that one participant said is driving physician groups to take health IT more seriously. San Francisco Business Times.
Federal Lawmakers Address Children’s Health Initiatives
A number of federal lawmakers in opinion pieces in The Hill tackled children's health care issues, such as the State Children's Health Insurance Program, childhood obesity and mental health problems. The Hill.
Tour Touting Universal Health Care Lands in Oxnard
The OneCareNow campaign has collected more than 40,000 signatures as it has crossed the state to build support for universal health care and a single-payer system in California. Ventura County Star.
Grocery Store Workers’ Contract Expands Health Care Benefits
The contract for Southern California grocery store workers does away with a two-tier wage and benefits system and greatly expands preventive health care benefits, a move that grocery store chains say is part of a significant shift in the way that the companies and the union are targeting increasing health care costs. Los Angeles Times et al.
California Hospitals Seek Investigation of Medicare Auditor
Federal officials say a private firm that is reviewing hospitals' Medicare bills is operating in keeping with federal rules. California hospital officials argue that the company's denial of claims could affect beneficiaries’ access to care. Sacramento Bee.
Candidates for President Push Health Care Proposals
Several Democratic presidential candidates, including Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, recently pushed universal health care coverage. However, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney criticized their proposals. McClatchy/Contra Costa Times et al.
Bill Would Expand Benefits to Displaced Workers
The legislation would increase the value of the tax credits to cover 85% of the cost of health insurance premiums for manufacturing workers displaced by international trade and would eliminate a rule that limits eligibility to workers displaced by U.S. trade partners. Washington Post.
Rural, Inner-City Areas Hit Hardest by Physician Shortage
It would require 16,000 physicians to immediately alleviate the shortage of doctors in underserved areas. However, the problem is being exacerbated by restrictions placed in 2001 on foreign physicians who want to practice in the U.S. AP/Philadelphia Inquirer.
Benefits Ordered for Agent Orange-Related Illness
The ruling by the appellate judges reinforces a 2005 ruling by a federal judge that ordered the government to pay retroactive disability payments to Vietnam veterans suffering from a form of leukemia caused by Agent Orange exposure. Los Angeles Times, Oakland Tribune.