Latest California Healthline Stories
Criticism of a Single-Payer Health System Unfounded
Paul Krugman writes that opponents of a universal health care system "appear to have run out of honest arguments." He cites a survey that found that the U.S. "ranks near the bottom among advanced countries in terms of how hard it is to get medical attention on short notice." New York Times.
Health Care Reform Around the Nation: July 16
Georgia expands its State Children's Health Insurance program enrollment; Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts drops plan for lower employer contributions under state health insurance law
Businesses Challenge San Francisco Health Care Program Mandate
The Golden Gate Restaurant Association says the city’s new program to provide health care services to all city residents violates a 1974 federal law governing requirements for employee benefits, a charge that attorneys for the city dispute. San Francisco Examiner.
Schwarzenegger Urges Businesses To Endorse His Health Reform Plan
Gov. Schwarzenegger told business leaders that it is time for them to support a specific strategy to rework the state health care system. Many business and advocacy groups have called for general reform without endorsing a proposal. East Bay Business Times, Capital Public Radio's "Insight."
Johns Hopkins Top U.S. Hospital for 17th Year
Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore was ranked the top overall hospital in the country for the 17th straight year by U.S. News & World Report. UCLA Medical Center was ranked third overall. Baltimore Sun et al.
Hospital News Roundup for July 13
Community Regional Medical Center reaches settlement with nurses union; USC University Hospital included in deal with Aetna
Surgeon General Nominee Pledges To Resist Politics
James Holsinger said he would resign from the post of surgeon general if he faced political pressure from the Bush administration. Former Surgeon General Richard Carmona said the Administration routinely edited his speeches and prohibited him from discussing certain topics. Los Angeles Times et al.
Republican Senators Urge Bush To OK Kids’ Health Insurance Bill
Sens. Chuck Grassley and Orrin Hatch voiced their support for a compromise bill to reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program and urged President Bush not to veto it. But Hatch and Grassley may be out of step with the rest of the Republican caucus. CongressDaily et al.