Latest California Healthline Stories
Governor Says Health Care Proposal Does Not Require Taxes
Gov. Schwarzenegger said the revenue generated from mandatory contributions would be used for health care rather than general expenditures. Meanwhile, critics of the plan are concerned that all undocumented adults would not be covered because the decision is left to the discretion of each county. Sacramento Bee et al.
Birth Defects Cost Hospitals More Than $2.5 Billion
The average hospital stay for those seeking treatment lasted six days and hospital costs averaged $18,600 per stay, according to a federally funded study. AP/Long Island Newsday.
Decision To Overturn Maryland Health Care Law Upheld
The law would have required employers in Maryland with 10,000 or more employees to spend at least 8% of payroll costs on health care or contribute to a state fund for the uninsured. Maryland has 14 days to appeal the decision. Baltimore Sun et al.
Schwarzenegger Addresses Consumer, Business Groups
Gov. Schwarzenegger is seeking consensus with the groups on his health care reform proposal. Meanwhile, three columnists address alternatives to the governor’s proposal and other legislative options under consideration in California. AP/Los Angeles Daily News et al.
Ban Sought on Delays to Availability of Generics
Sen. Patrick Leahy announced a bill that would bar agreements that delay market entry of generic medications. The Federal Trade Commission asked Congress to act on the matter. AP/Richmond Times-Dispatch et al.
Health Plan Legislation Under Consideration
Senators are considering compromises to legislation passed in the last Congress that would have allowed small businesses to form association health plans. CongressDaily.
Not-For-Profit Providers Criticize Massachusetts Plan
Officials at clinics, nursing homes and other health care providers said they will have difficulty compensating for the cost of providing coverage to all employees because their revenue is largely dependent on fixed federal and state reimbursements. Boston Globe.
President Bush Calls for Genetic Privacy Bill
Experts say safeguarding genetic privacy would encourage millions of U.S. residents to undergo testing for cancers and other diseases that could lead to earlier detection and treatment. New York Times, Washington Post.