Latest California Healthline Stories
Kuehl Says Factors Driving State Toward Single-Payer System
Regardless of opposition by the governor and most of the Legislature, Sen. Sheila Kuehl firmly believes that a single-payer health system eventually will take hold in California, as health care costs and public spending continue to rise. San Jose Mercury News.
Universal Coverage Could Bolster Financial Security
An M.I.T. professor cites the example of Medicare in arguing that expanding health insurance coverage reduces the likelihood that people will be bankrupted by health care costs. Wall Street Journal.
Senator Touts Proposed ‘Patient Dumping’ Ban
Sen. Gil Cedillo, the head of Southern California’s hospital industry group and a community advocate squared off over the merits of legislation that would penalize that engage in “patient dumping.” KCRW, Los Angeles Times.
Congress Weighs Options for Boosting Kids’ Insurance Funds
States could receive additional funds for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program as early as May if Congress includes money for the program in legislation to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. CQ Today, CongressDaily.
Audit of Stem Cell Agency Finds Room for Improvement
State auditors said some of their recommendations have been put in place at the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, although agency officials dispute auditors’ call for changes to its conflict-of-interest policies. San Diego Union-Tribune et al.
Report To Focus on Medicare Payments to Doctors
Some members of Congress are considering cuts to physician reimbursements through Medicare as a means of curbing spending for the program. A government committee will testify on the matter this week. Palm Beach Post.
Insurer Protests Proposed Cut to Medicare Plans
Beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare managed-care plans could face higher premiums and more restricted benefits, as well as a complete loss of coverage if the federal government cuts reimbursements for the plans, BlueCross BlueShield Association officials maintain. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette et al.
Sale of Not-for-Profit Hospital Gets Green Light
Prime Healthcare’s purchase of Paradise Valley Hospital could be completed this week in a solid defeat to a group of investors and physicians who sought to block the sale of the not-for-profit hospital to a for-profit company. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Enrollment in San Francisco Health Plan Could Be Split
Businesses would have another six months to enroll employees in the city’s health access program but could begin kicking in to health care reimbursement accounts offered by the San Francisco public health department. San Francisco Chronicle.
Risk of Cervical Cancer Exceeds Early Estimates
A CDC researcher found that more than a quarter of women and girls in the U.S. have human papillomavirus, fueling debates about efforts in some states to mandate vaccination against the virus. Wall Street Journal.