Morning Breakouts

Latest California Healthline Stories

Candidates for President Pitch Health Care Proposals

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and former Gov. Tommy Thompson talked about health care issues on the campaign trail over the weekend, while editorial boards and broadcast media programs assessed health care plans offered by the candidates. Reuters/Boston Globe et al.

Democratic Health Care Reform Plans Advance in California

The bills’ approval in the Senate and Assembly sets the state for negotiations with Gov. Schwarzenegger. Republican lawmakers remain skeptical of the legality of the proposals but say they will support efforts to expand coverage for kids. San Jose Mercury News et al.

Los Angeles County Hospital Could Lose Federal Funding

Without Medicare funding, maintaining services at Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Hospital could be untenable for Los Angeles County. The facility is operating under a special agreement with federal health officials while it works to correct health care quality problems. Los Angeles Times.

House Passes Bill To Allow Federal Funds for Stem Cell Research

Thirty-seven Republicans broke party lines to vote with Democrats and approve the bill, which President Bush has pledged to veto. The Senate lacks at least one vote to override the veto, while the House is 35 short. New York Times et al.

Giuliani Touts Tax Incentives To Boost Health Insurance Rates

Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani said his health care plan would offer families a $15,000 tax credit to buy private coverage. Meanwhile, rival Mitt Romney defended the health insurance law he signed as governor of Massachusetts. Long Island Newsday, Nashua Telegraph.

Spending Bill for U.S. Health Department Advances

If approved the bill would provide the largest increase in funding for NIH in four years, but the almost 2% budget increase still would fall short of the 6.7% increase the agency sought. CongressDaily.