Latest California Healthline Stories
State Officials Briefed on Fiscal State of Hospitals
Officials were presented the findings of a report released last week by the California HealthCare Foundation that found financial disparities between not-for-profit hospitals in urban areas and public hospitals in small rural areas that struggled financially. Sacramento Bee.
Schwarzenegger Pitches Health Care Reform Plan to Insurers
Gov. Schwarzenegger asserted that his health care overhaul plan would boost insurers’ revenue and argued in favor of provisions that would require insurers to dedicate at least 85% of premiums to health care services. Meanwhile, health care advocates are waiting for the governor and Democratic leaders to offer specific proposals to contain rising health care costs. Sacramento Bee et al.
Clinton’s Health Care Overhaul Expected To Be Announced in Steps
Aides to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton say a call for universal health coverage will come at the end of a series of speeches laying out her health care reform proposals. Clinton is expected to release a plan to improve health care quality later this summer. AP/Long Island Newsday.
Health Care Reform Around the Nation: June 25
Connecticut lawmakers agree to increased Medicaid funding; Oregon begins laying groundwork for reform legislation in 2009
Doctors Urge Medical Association To Ban Retail Health Clinics
Physician groups at the annual American Medical Association meeting said that the lack of doctors at retail clinics puts patients at risk. An AMA committee will look into physicians’ concerns and issue a policy recommendation within two days. Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times.
Emergency Departments Overcrowded, Experts Say
The federal government has done little to improve the U.S. emergency health care system, according to witnesses at a House hearing. CQ HealthBeat, CongressDaily.
Medical Device Companies Attract Bay Area Investors
Medical device companies in the Bay Area raised 55% more funding than they did during the same period last year. One analyst attributes the rise in medical device and biotechnology investments to a vested interest in life sciences to serve an aging population. Contra Costa Times.
Elder Care Can Threaten Emotional, Physical Health
A new poll found that almost half of the 59% of baby boomers who do not offer personal or financial help or both to their elderly parents are worried about their ability to offer such help in the future. USA Today et al.
Los Angeles County Officials Mull Options for Troubled Hospital
County supervisors are seeking to immediately adopt a contingency plan that would maintain outpatient clinics at King-Harbor Hospital but shutter the emergency department and terminate other inpatient services. Los Angeles Times.
Experts: Documentary To Impact Health Care Debate
Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez is among the elected officials and policy experts who predict that Michael Moore’s new documentary, “Sicko,” will have a significant impact on the health care reform debate. New York Times et al.