Latest California Healthline Stories
Bill To OK Association Health Plans in the Works
The chair of the Senate Finance Committee is taking another stab at legislation to allow businesses to band together in hopes of buying health insurance coverage at lower rates. CongressDaily.
Proposed Bans on Trans Fats Move to Legislature
The Assembly is taking up measures that would kick trans fats out of restaurants and schools, a move that the restaurant industry is opposing. KQED.
Contra Costa County Open to Health Benefits Fraud
A grand jury report found that inadequate oversight of the county’s benefits system could contribute to rising medical costs. However, the report did not find solid evidence of fraud or abuse of the county’s health benefits system. Contra Costa Times.
Baby Boomers Driving Uneven Health Care Cost Increases
The cost of treating kidney disorders will see the biggest jump in per capita health care spending between 2020 and 2050, while costs will decrease for post-natal care, chemical dependency and reproductive services, a study projects. St. Paul Pioneer Press, Scripps Howard/Arizona Daily Star.
Bill Targets Ban on Donor Policies for Men With HIV
The bill’s author says the current ban on reproductive services involving HIV-positive men increases the risk of transmission because it pushes couples to opt to conceive through intercourse. Contra Costa Times.
Hospital Care the Target of Online Comparison Tool
A new Web site contains data for 70% of California hospital admissions and allows users to compare hospitals side-by-side. Developers plan to update data quarterly and expand the number of performance measures included in the survey. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Health Care a Leading Issue in 2008 Presidential Campaign
Former Sen. John Edwards has laid out the most detailed health care plan of any presidential candidate at this point in the race, but two other Democratic candidates have indicated support for universal health coverage and Republican candidates are stumping on their health care experience to woo voters on the issue. Washington Post.
Expanding Health Care a Common Target for California, New York
Gov. Schwarzenegger and New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer both have prioritized health care for 2007, with each laying out a plan to expand coverage to the uninsured and finance stem cell research initiatives. Los Angeles Times.
Uninsured Middle Class Driving Health Care Debate
Researchers say that changing economic conditions — especially companies that drop employee health benefits — are driving up the number of middle class residents in the U.S. without health insurance. New York Times.
Survey: Support for Health Reform Strong in Bay Area
A new regional survey did not ask specifically about Gov. Schwarzenegger’s health care plan but indicated that more people support its reform approach than efforts to create a single-payer system in California. Meanwhile, an editorial says the governor’s plan would violate a federal law that has undermined health reform efforts in at least one other state. San Francisco Chronicle et al.