Latest California Healthline Stories
Congress Mulls Options To Provide Coverage to Uninsured Veterans
About half of the 1.8 million uninsured veterans do not qualify for benefits because they were not disabled during service and exceed income guidelines. The remainder might qualify for benefits but do not live near VA facilities. Washington Post et al.
‘Sicko’ Screening Triggers Debate Among Lawmakers
Democrats speaking at a Washington, D.C., press briefing for Michael Moore’s new documentary, “Sicko,” voiced their support for a bill that would create a publicly-financed but privately-delivered health care system, based on the expansion of Medicare. CQ HealthBeat et al.
San Diego County Approves Retiree Health Care Cuts
As part of the accord reached between the San Diego County supervisors and the county retirement board, former employees who retired after 2002 will lose their health care benefits. Supervisors say the plan will reduce a long-term debt of $400 million. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Union To Launch New Unit for Health Care Workers
The Service Employees International Union’s new SEIU Health Care will combine the resources, priorities and proposals from the 38 local SEIU health care unions to boost health care practices and promote universal coverage. Baltimore Sun.
Bush Vetoes Measure To Expand Embryonic Stem Cell Research
President Bush also issued an executive order calling for scientists to use only stem cells that “are derived without creating a human embryo for research purposes”. Supporters of the measure in the Senate now will seek to override the president’s veto. Washington Post et al.
Workers Retire Early To Lock In Health Care Benefits
After Sacramento County supervisors voted to cut health benefits for employees who retire after May 31, 16 employees planning to retire moved the date forward, while another 49 workers filed paperwork to retire by the deadline. Sacramento Bee.
CalPERS CEO Explains Investment in Equity Fund
CalPERS CEO Fred Buenrostro spoke about CalPERS’ partnership with a private equity fund that will invest up to $700 million in health care-related businesses. Capital Public Radio’s “Insight.”
Effort Publicizes Spending on Entitlement Programs
The “Fiscal Wake-Up Tour” is focusing on early presidential primary states to encourage candidates to weigh in on the rapidly increasing cost of entitlement programs. So far, no presidential candidate has offered a proposal to significantly reduce spending. Washington Post, Baltimore Sun.
More Mental Health Services in L.A. County Get Funds
Funding from California’s Proposition 63 has helped Los Angeles County expand services for the mentally ill and better ensure that patients follow up on treatment. KCET’s “Life & Times.”
Study: Coverage Varies Widely Under Medicare Drug Benefit Plans
Physicians are having more difficulty prescribing common medications to Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in prescription drug plans because of variations among different plans and insurers about what treatments are covered. Oakland Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle.