Morning Breakouts

Latest California Healthline Stories

Workers’ Comp Measure Clears First Hurdle to Ballot

The author of the measure says it would change California law to protect injured workers’ access to health care services, but business groups argue that the measure would cause a jump in insurance premiums. Sacramento Business Journal.

Health Care Bills Making Their Way Through Legislature

Legislative committees will take action on health care-related bills, including Sen. Sheila Kuehl’s latest effort to adopt a single-payer health care system in California. Other measures up for discussion include a ban on trans fat. AP/Los Angeles Daily News et al.

Survey Finds Retirement Savings To Be Inadequate

The percentage of U.S. workers saving for retirement declined from 2006, at a time when analysts estimate that workers retiring in 2016 will need more than $100,000 to cover health care costs. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Discharge Policy at Center of Patient-Dumping Cases

Los Angeles officials and hospitals are gearing up for the debate over what constitutes an appropriate discharge policy for homeless patients, as another case of alleged patient dumping makes news. NPR, KPCC.

Massachusetts Waives Coverage Requirement for 20% of Uninsured

State officials and health care advocates said the waiver will shield some residents from fines and other penalties that they cannot afford. Other provisions Massachusetts officials approved will boost the annual cost of the program by more than $10 million. Boston Globe et al.

Former Intel Chief Touts Health Care Reform

Andy Grove acknowledges that his proposals will not correct all of the health care system’s shortcomings but says he is targeting specific problems with apparent solutions. San Francisco Chronicle.