Latest California Healthline Stories
CBO: Price Negotiations Would Not Lower Medicare Drug Costs
Acting Congressional Budget Office Director Donald Marron wrote that permitting the HHS secretary negotiate prices for the Medicare drug benefit would not translate to prices “that are more favorable” than prices negotiated by health plans under current law. AP/Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Los Angeles County Studies Trans Fat Ban
County supervisors have directed a task force to discuss the possible ban with the restaurant industry and community health organizations. The Los Angeles City Council in December 2006 asked for a report on how trans fats could be restricted in restaurants. Los Angeles Daily News, Los Angeles Times.
Kennedy Proposes To Extend Medicare
Sen. Edward Kennedy proposed a plan that would extend Medicare to all residents and allow them to select from health plans offered to federal lawmakers and the president. AP/Houston Chronicle et al.
Sutter Health Announces Closure of Santa Rosa Hospital
Sutter Health is closing the former Community Hospital with 10 years remaining in its contract with the county. Women’s reproductive services and other programs are expected to be continued by Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, pending approval by county and state regulators. Los Angeles Times et al.
Wal-Mart Says It Provides Health Care Coverage To More Employees
A company-sponsored survey found that more than 75% of Wal-Mart employees were eligible for health benefits during the most recent open-enrollment period and that 15% of workers said the cost of Wal-Mart’s plans was their reason for declining coverage. Reuters et al.
Poll: Support Low for Guaranteeing Health Insurance to Undocumented Immigrants
More than half of respondents said the state should not guarantee access to health insurance benefits for undocumented immigrants. Los Angeles Times.
Governor’s State of the State Includes Health Care Agenda
Gov. Schwarzenegger during his speech said that all health care reform proposals, “regardless of origin, are still on the table,” but some Republican legislators have voiced opposition to components of the proposal. Sacramento Bee et al.
White House To Detail Progress on Stem Cell Research
Some stem cell research supporters said a possible executive order would endorse federal funding for research of nonembryonic stem cells. The order would not reverse existing restrictions on federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research. Wall Street Journal.
Uninsured Workers, Consumers Criticize Governor’s Reform Proposal
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s reform proposal is drawing criticism from some uninsured workers who say that a mandate to purchase coverage would worsen their financial situation. Editorials react to the governor’s plan to require coverage for all individuals. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Medications Cost Less Through VA Than Medicare Drug Benefit
All 20 drugs considered in a study cost more under the Medicare drug benefit than under VA programs. The study found that the VA was able to use its purchasing power to negotiate for lower drug prices. Arizona Daily Star et al.