Latest California Healthline Stories
Job-Based Health Insurance Rate Down for Some Workers
A new report by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation says declining insurance rates among low- and moderate-income workers highlights the State Children’s Health Insurance Program’s importance in the U.S. health care system. Detroit News et al.
Assembly Republicans Stress Market Power in Health Overhaul
The caucus of California’s most conservative lawmakers favors competition by promoting health savings accounts and eliminating some requirements for minimum benefits. Aides to Gov. Schwarzenegger and Assembly Speaker Nuñez welcomed the proposal, saying that legislators need to go ahead and debate the various health care overhaul plans on the table. Los Angeles Times.
Children’s Insurance Gets Funding Boost in Dems’ Budget Plan
Democratic Senators want to kick in $15 billion above the federal government’s current contribution to the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. They’re calling for another $35 billion in new revenue and reduced costs to be directed to the program. Washington Post et al.
Funding Jump for Kids’ Insurance Program Put Forward
Rep. John Dingell and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton want to allow states to open their State Children’s Health Insurance Programs to help employers and parents buy coverage for children. Lawmakers and interest groups continue to support a funding increase. New York Times et al.
Army Surgeon General Steps Down; Inspections Ordered
Staffing upheavals continue after lapses in treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center were reported, and the civilian leadership has ordered a complete inspection of VA health facilities. Washington Post et al.
Former FDA Chief Champions Databases in Drug Safety
FDA could have caught increased risks from Vioxx earlier if it had tapped into existing resources, former FDA Chief Mark McClellan said. An FDA official said more staff is needed to fully take advantage of the databases. Washington Post, AP/Boston Herald.
Mental Health Agency Errors Throw Off State Budget by $300M
Errors by California’s mental health department are translating to delayed reimbursements to counties and the potential for federal fines and other penalties. Schwarzenegger administration officials advised lawmakers to cut funding for other programs to help repay the counties, but that order has been put on hold until bookkeeping improvements are put in place. Los Angeles Times.
UC-Davis Electronic Records Project Behind Schedule
The project was slated to wrap up by late 2006 at a cost of $76 million, but the project stand only half complete and cost have risen to $85 million so far. Sacramento Business Journal.
State Program Will Not Cover Vaccine for Women
State officials said Family Pact will not cover a vaccine for human papillomavirus because it is more effective in younger girls. The majority of the state-backed health plan’s members are older than age 20. Los Angeles Daily News.
Medi-Cal Billing Process Irks Lodi Teachers
School district officials in Lodi say requiring teachers to fill out Medi-Cal billing paperwork makes sense because teachers already identify students who need medical care, but teachers say the process is a distraction from their core duties. Stockton Record.