Latest California Healthline Stories
Single-Payer Health Care Unlikely Before 2020
People who are satisfied with the system are unlikely to urge reforms to help the less fortunate. Christian Science Monitor.
Drew University Plans Expansions
The expansion proposal will be presented two weeks after the university announced that it will close its residency program by July 2007 and lose its national accreditation. The expansion includes rebuilding its residency programs in 2008. Los Angeles Times.
Retail Clinics Expand Nationwide, Slower in California
State regulations on owning and operating medical clinics have limited the emergence of retail clinics in California. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Tobacco Tax Opponents Cite Effect on School Funding
Revenue from the new tax would not be deposited in the state general fund, thereby exempting the tax proceeds from a state law that allocates a set percentage of the general fund to education. Teachers unions have not stated opposition to the measure. Sacramento Bee et al.
Massachusetts Plan Will Exceed Cost Estimates
A state bond filing indicates that Massachusetts’ health care plan calls for $386 million in rate increases for hospitals, physicians and managed care organizations, according to an opinion piece. Washington Times.
Consumer-Directed Plans Have Risks, Benefits
Employers have been slow to offer consumer-directed health plans, and enrollment among workers has been even slower. New York Times.
Health Care Among Democrats’ Legislative Priorities
Democrats likely would seek to allow Medicare to negotiate directly for discounts on medications and expand eligibility for SCHIP as part of their health care agenda. Boston Globe et al.
State Lifts Mercury Ban on Child Flu Shots
Some doctors have a limited supply of the mercury-free vaccine, prompting the state to temporarily lift the ban on vaccines containing the preservative thimerosal. San Jose Mercury News et al.