Latest California Healthline Stories
Retiree Health Costs Weigh on County, City Budget Decisions
California counties and other government entities must decide whether to continue subsidizing health care costs for current and future retirees, or eliminate or reduce benefits to preserve funding for other services and programs. Sacramento Bee.
More Mental Health Services Advocated in New Proposal
The legislation seeks to establish a new agency to develop suicide prevention training standards and analyze best practices to prevent suicides, especially among underserved communities. Oakland Tribune.
Senators Seek White House Cooperation on Health Coverage
President Bush has accepted an invitation to collaborate on health care reform from a bipartisan group of 10 senators, although they have not endorsed proposals the president pitched in his State of the Union address. The group’s overhaul proposal is aimed at providing universal health coverage and sustaining Medicare and Medicaid. AP/San Francisco Chronicle, Reuters/Washington Post.
Medicare Outpatient Premiums Could Jump Next Year, Group Says
A new report estimates that the increase in Medicare Part B premiums will entirely offset the increase in Social Security payments for half of all beneficiaries. The premiums are deducted from Social Security payments. Palm Beach Post, Cox/Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Former Massachusetts Governor Throws Hat Into Ring for 2008
Add one more to the list of those in the race for the 2008 Republican nomination for President: Mitt Romney announced his candidacy on Tuesday. The former governor did not mention Massachusetts’ health care law in his speech. Baltimore Sun, Boston Globe.
Former Lobbyist’s Hiring at Insurance Department Draws Fire
Consumer advocates worry that in his new position William Gausewitz will favor insurance companies, but he insists that he has severed ties with insurers and would remain unbiased in his new job with the California regulatory body. Contra Costa Times, Los Angeles Times.
Health Savings Accounts a Winning Reform Strategy
Steve Forbes, editor-in-chief of Forbes magazine, writes that expanding health savings accounts would be more effective than enacting Gov. Schwarzenegger’s health reform proposal or reform ideas pitched by President Bush. Forbes.
Blue Shield Heading To Court Over Group Policy Cancellation
Realtors in California are challenging Blue Shield’s termination of their association health plan after the insurer said the group’s enrollment was insufficient to sustain the coverage. Blue Shield plans to cease coverage under the group’s plan on May 31. Los Angeles Times.
Senators Move Forward With Mental Health Parity Effort
The bill would not pre-empt state laws that mandate mental health parity, but it would overrule state mandates on financial requirements and treatment limitations for mental health services. CQ HealthBeat et al.
Lawmaker Takes Another Stab at Patients’ Bill of Rights
The legislation has been introduced in a slightly different form every year since 2001. Rep. Charlie Norwood offered the original text of the bill before returning to Georgia to undergo hospice care. Atlanta Journal-Constitution.