Latest California Healthline Stories
CalPERS Members Face Rate Hike for Long-Term Care
CalPERS decided to increase long-term care rates to help offset an estimated $600 million deficit and establish a reserve. The increase ranges from 5% to 47%, depending on members’ age. Sacramento Bee.
Ideas for Verifying Health Insurance Coverage on the Table
Looking at Gov. Schwarzenegger’s health care reform proposal, administration officials are floating the idea of using databases to identify California residents who have been without health insurance for more than 60 days to encourage them to get coverage. People who do not enroll in a health plan could face penalties, a move at least one labor group opposes. Los Angeles Times.
Receiver Orders Prisons To Cut Ties With Contractor
California’s prison medical receiver Robert Sillen accused the contractor of “billing irregularities” and of practicing illegally because it did not have a license. Sacramento Bee.
GOP Tax Stance Raises Stakes in Debate on Health Care Reform
Sen. Tom McClintock says a pledge against new taxes applies to provisions of Gov. Schwarzenegger’s health care overhaul that would boost fees for health care providers. Passage of the governor’s plan could hinge on the distinction between “fees” and “taxes.” Ventura County Star.
Senate Gearing Up for Debate on Drug Price Negotiations
The wheels are in motion for the Senate to consider legislation to greenlight direct price negotiations with drug makers, despite a legislative analysis that says the bill would have a “negligible” effect on spending under the Medicare drug benefit. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Plan Asks State To Review Health Insurance Rate Hikes
The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights is backing a proposal for the state to review health insurance rates in much the same way it considers car insurance premiums. “KPBS News.”
Advocates Seek Change in Medicare Enrollment Rules for Disabled
About 400,000 people under age 65 with disabilities are uninsured during a mandatory two-year wait period before they are eligible to enroll in Medicare, new research found. Legislation in the House would reduce or eliminate the waiting period. USA Today.
Bush Reiterates Veto Threat for Stem Cell Research Bill
President Bush maintains support for a bill that would more narrowly expand federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research, but the White House says other legislation would provide federal support for research that destroys human life. CQ Today et al.
Appeal to Supreme Court Could Further Delay Stem Cell Funding
Opponents of the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine are pushing their case to declare the agency unconstitutional to the state Supreme Court. Legal challenges to the agency have gone on for more than two years and have hampered the agency’s ability to issue bonds to fund the state research program. Sacramento Bee, San Diego Union-Tribune.
Abortion Rights at Issue in Birth Certificate Debate
California legislators are set to consider a bill that would issue birth certificates in cases of stillbirths, but abortion rights advocates are concerned that the measure could lead to greater restrictions on the procedure. San Francisco Chronicle.