Latest California Healthline Stories
Republican Candidates for President Tackle Health Care
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney boasted about legislation he signed while in office to extend insurance to all residents, while former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani criticized some Democratic health care proposals as “socialized medicine.” Washington Post et al.
Debate Emerges on Value of Limited-Benefit Health Plans
Limited-benefit health plans often are touted as a way for people to receive basic care, but some states have begun to question their legitimacy. About one million of the 160 million U.S. residents who receive health benefits through their employers have limited-benefit plans. USA Today.
Judge Denies Motion To Dismiss UnitedHealth Suit
UnitedHealth argued that the shareholder class-action lawsuit led by CalPERS should be dismissed because it did not show that UnitedHealth improperly accounted for its stock options or that its public statements mislead investors. St. Paul Pioneer Press, AP/Houston Chronicle.
Assembly Backs Bill To Permit State Funds for Needle Purchases
State funds can be used for all other aspects of needle-exchange programs in California, prompting a measure that seeks to OK the use of state grants to buy clean syringes. Supporters say the bill could reduce the spread of HIV. San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Business Journal.
CalPERS, Private Equity Fund Partner on Health Investments
CalPERS will provide up to $500 million for direct investments and $200 million for health care-oriented investments to a private equity fund founded by David Brailer, a former official in the Bush administration. Investments from the fund will be targeted at businesses working to develop products to reduce health care costs. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Overhaul of Nursing School Admissions Draws Opposition
A bill seeking to reform the admissions systems for nursing programs at most community colleges breezed through the Assembly, but the measure faces a bumpy road in the Senate as teachers and schools recently have voiced their opposition to the legislation’s mandates. Sacramento Bee.
Newsom Pursues Health Care Funding in Washington, D.C.
Federal funding for San Francisco’s universal health access program and HIV/AIDS services is on the agenda for San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom’s visit to Washington, D.C., this week. San Mateo County leaders also are speaking out about federal funding for HIV/AIDS services. San Francisco Chronicle, San Mateo County Times.
Unions Rally Behind Single-Payer Health Care Measure
The California Chamber of Commerce says Sen. Sheila Kuehl’s measure for a single-payer, state-run health care system would be costly and require new taxes, but health care advocates argue that such a system would be less costly because it would eliminate expenses related to private health insurers. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
American Medical Association Seeks to Block Medicare Cuts
The American Medical Association is urging Congress to reverse the scheduled 10% cut to Medicare physician payments in 2008 and come up with a new formula for setting reimbursements for doctors. Lawmakers say a formula change is unlikely. CQ HealthBeat et al.
Domestic Spending Plan Set for Approval in House Committee
The panel’s federal budget plan exceeds President Bush’s spending recommendations in eight of 12 areas, including health care. The president has threatened to veto such appropriations, and it appears that there might be sufficient support in the House to uphold the veto. CongressDaily et al.