Latest California Healthline Stories
Analysis Lays Groundwork for Health Reform Debate
Getting businesses on board will be pivotal to overhauling California’s health care system, as employee contributions are a major funding source for each of the three main health care reform plans under consideration. KQED’s “The California Report.”
Support Appears To Build for Health Care Reform Nationwide
Businesses, unions and physician associations are among the groups pushing for a comprehensive overhaul of the U.S. health care system at the same time that Democratic presidential candidates are making the issue a centerpiece of their campaigns. Dow Jones.
Walgreen Makes Move To Buy Chain of Retail Clinics
The drugstore chain plans to open retail clinics in 400 of its stores by the end of 2008. Walgreen says the deal will be finalized next week. Chicago Tribune, Bloomberg/Providence Journal.
CalPERS Trustees Approve First Copay Increase Since 2002
Board members said the move is intended to control rising premium costs at a time when health care benefits for public employees are drawing increasing scrutiny. CalPERS trustees OK’d proposals to raise copays for physician visits but held copays steady for medications and services under CalPERS Medicare health plans. San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee.
Prison Health Care Official Seeks More Authority
Robert Sillen issued a report that criticized recent prison reform legislation signed into law and also requested that state corrections officials give him oversight over the recruitment and hiring of correctional officers. AP/Orange County Register et al.
Democrats Push $50B Increase for Kids’ Health Insurance
Congressional Democrats’ budget resolution exceeds President Bush’s proposals for domestic discretionary spending, with the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and veterans’ health care accounting for big chunks of the difference. CongressDaily et al.
Health Care Issues Emerge for County Supervisors
Kern County is considering certification procedures for emergency responders, while Los Angeles County officials investigate the death of a patient after a county hospital allegedly denied treatment. Meanwhile, San Joaquin County officials are mulling a sales tax increase to maintain operations at the county hospital. Bakersfield Californian et al.
Emergency Department Care Raising Concerns
Hospital emergency departments face staff shortages in conjunction with growing numbers of patients. Some health care officials argue that EDs are nearing a crisis situation. Newsweek.
Obama Sets 2012 Target Date for Universal Coverage
Sen. Barack Obama pledged to expand health insurance coverage to all U.S. residents by the end of his first term as president, a move the Illinois Democrat said he would achieve partly using savings from health information technology. Gannett/Asbury Park Press.
Retiree Health Benefits Drawing Wider Concern
Fewer employers today offer health care benefits to retirees, and companies that do provide benefits are asking retired workers to pony up a greater share of the cost. Dow Jones.