Latest California Healthline Stories
Physician Lobbyists Revise Liability Reform Strategy
Physician lobbyists are redirecting their focus on medical malpractice legislation this year as they face a new Democratic Congress. The Hill.
Editorial and Opinion Writers Assess GOP Health Reform Plan
Some commentators embraced California Republicans’ health care reform proposal as an attractive alternative that would avoid new taxes, while others predicted that it will require revision to win Democratic votes. Orange County Register et al.
Increased Funding for NIH, Veterans Health Approved by House
The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a $463.5 billion omnibus appropriations bill for fiscal year 2007 that includes increased funds for NIH, health care for veterans and other health programs. AP/San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Benefit Losses Among Grocery Workers Mean More Costs for Others
An author of a new study on health insurance among grocery workers said that lower rates of insurance since a 2004 labor dispute contribute to higher health benefit costs for other employers, as well as higher costs for public insurance programs. Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Daily News.
Physician House Calls Get New Life in San Francisco
A San Francisco group that provides house calls caters to a largely working-class clientele. The founder said the service is more affordable than most emergency department visits, regardless of insurance status. San Francisco Chronicle.
Sharp Hikes in Prison Spending Linked to Inmate Health Care
Increased funding to improve inmate health has largely contributed to an increase in the average cost per inmate in state prisons over the past decade. Sacramento Bee.
N.Y. Labor Leader To Head National SEIU Health Union
New York labor leader Dennis Rivera is stepping down from his position to take over as chair of a new national health care union within SEIU. AP/Long Island Newsday et al.
More Heart Transplant Programs at Risk for Medicare Funding Loss
CMS notifies four additional heart transplant programs that they might lose Medicare funding because they failed to meet minimum agency standards. Los Angeles Times.
Agreement Reached on Federal Budget With Increased Health Funds
House and Senate leaders reached an agreement on a federal budget agreement that will boost funding for community health centers, NIH and other health care programs. President Bush is expected to sign the measure. CQ Today et al.
Columnist: Cost of Health Insurance Merits Discussion
Exposing the actual cost of health insurance benefits is a major strength of President Bush’s health care proposal, and U.S. residents need to take account of health care costs in any reform strategy. Washington Post.