Latest California Healthline Stories
CalPERS Mulls Fee Increases To Offset Health Care Costs
CalPERS is weighing proposals to change health insurance coverage options in hopes of staving off a big jump in costs. CalPERS rejected similar proposals in years past, but ongoing pressures might force a different outcome this year. Sacramento Bee.
Rate Regulation Might Be Way To Go on Health Reform
Leaders of the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights maintain that health care overhaul plans currently on the table could push individuals and small businesses to buy coverage they cannot afford. San Francisco Chronicle.
Businesses, States Take On Chronic Disease Management
Some major employers and states are trying to head off high-cost health care claims by giving employees medications for their chronic conditions at no cost, while other employers are rolling out wellness programs to shore up employee health. New York Times et al.
Task Force Gears Up To Tackle Health Care, Pension Costs
The newly-appointed chair of the commission said it will not suggest cutting retiree health care benefits that have been promised, but he noted that higher costs for benefits could translate to less funding for other programs. Sacramento Bee, San Diego Union-Tribune.
Medication Disposal Program Takes Off as National Model
San Mateo County launched a program to collect unused or out-of-date medications four months ago to help reduce water pollution and the possibility for drug errors at home. San Jose Mercury News.
Report Predicts Near-Doubling of U.S. Health Care Spending
The government will kick in for almost of half of all health care spending in the U.S. by 2016, at the same time that out-of-pocket spending and outlays by private insurers also are set to jump. The report did not offer policy proposals, but authors said that difficult choices lie ahead as the nation makes decisions on how to pay its health care tab. Los Angeles Times et al.
Editorial Pages Question Likelihood of Health Reform
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s health care reform proposal has drawn a divisive line between supporters who commend the governor’s ambition and opponents who decry the cost of the proposal. Fresno Bee, Orange County Register.
Mental Health Plan for Prisons Elicits Backlash
A federal court monitor said the state corrections agency lacks the experience to justify its proposal to take responsibility for providing mental health services from the state Department of Mental Health. Sacramento Bee.
Work on Proposal for New UC Medical School Under Way
UC-Merced officials are aiming to submit a proposal for a new medical school on their campus by June, with the possibility of the UC Board of Regents reviewing the plan as early as fall 2007. Merced Sun-Star.
White House Orders Probe of Military Hospitals
A series in the Washington Post highlighted problems at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and spurred legislators to demand an investigation of health care for service members. Democrats are expected to offer legislation on the matter. Reuters/Los Angeles Times et al.