Latest California Healthline Stories
Contra Costa County Delays Funding Retiree Health Care
Contra Costa County’s pay-as-you-go method for funding retiree health care costs has resulted in a liability of $2.6 billion for current and future retirees — roughly the combined total of the liabilities faced by five of California’s largest counties. Contra Costa Times.
Insurer Group Seeks New Agency To Gauge Medical Treatments
The proposed new federal agency would look at the costs and benefits of medications, medical devices and therapies as part of an effort to tackle rising health care costs. The suggestion was one of several that the trade group AHIP made to Congress. CongressDaily, CQ HealthBeat.
New Coordinator for U.S. Health IT Efforts Named
Robert Kolodner was named as interim coordinator for HHS’ health information technology projects in fall 2006 after working on similar initiatives for the Veterans Health Administration. CongressDaily, CQ HealthBeat.
Tulare County Supervisors OK Plan To Shutter Clinics
Patients and local officials asked the county to extend the July 1 closing date by six months to give people time to find another clinic, but county officials declined because of cost concerns. Fresno Bee.
Schwarzenegger Touts Health IT as Part of Health Care Overhaul
Gov. Schwarzenegger said the state could use telemedicine to boost access to health care in rural areas. The governor has thrown his support behind at least four health information technology projects in the past year. Eureka Reporter, Eureka Times-Standard.
Lawmakers Seek Extension for Wisconsin Drug Benefit
Federal officials earlier this month declined to renew a waiver that would have let the state continue a program that covers prescription drug costs for some low-income seniors. Wisconsin’s governor said the state might try to continue the program as a supplement to the Medicare drug benefit. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Push for Medicare Rx Price Negotiations Hits Snag in Senate
Not enough Senate Republicans broke party ranks to bring the legislation to a vote before the full Senate. The Democratic leadership could use a procedural maneuver to return to the measure at a later date, despite President Bush’s veto pledge. Washington Post et al.
Report: Medicaid Care Hurt by Differences Among State Programs
Consumer advocacy group Public Citizen says discrepancies in enrollment and eligibility criteria among states contribute to nationwide shortcomings in Medicaid. Overall, the report ranks California’s Medicaid program 14th in the nation. CQ HealthBeat et al.
Study Predicts High Health Risks if Ethanol Catches On
The Los Angeles area particularly would be hit hard, with ozone-related deaths projected to jump 9% if ethanol replaces gasoline in the majority of U.S. automobiles. Researchers estimate that deaths linked to ozone would increase by 4% nationwide. Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle.