Latest California Healthline Stories
Bernanke Says Entitlement Reforms Needed Soon
Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke says that Medicare and Social Security need to be reformed to reduce the financial burden for future generations. AP/Lexington Herald-Leader et al.
Stem Cell Agency Releases 10-Year Spending Plan
California Institute for Regenerative Medicine officials said it is unlikely that stem cell therapies will be on the market within the next decade, but their goal is to create a pipeline of treatment that can be further developed by other companies. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Report Assesses Health of Fresno County Children
The percentages of children in the county who are overweight and have asthma are higher than the statewide averages, prompting calls for improved access to preventive health care for children and efforts to address other health care issues. Fresno Bee.
Support Declines for Tobacco Tax Measure
Support for Proposition 86 has declined as voters’ awareness of the campaign has increased, possibly as a result of widespread advertising against the measure, which would increase the state tobacco tax to fund health care programs. San Francisco Chronicle, et al.
Medicare Beneficiaries Urged To Review Drug Benefit Options
Insurers are marketing more plans than they did for 2006, and although average monthly premiums are not expected to increase, the premiums for the lowest-priced plans will increase significantly. USA Today et al.
Retiree Benefits at Issue in Contract Talks, Lawsuit
San Joaquin County workers represented by two unions have raised the possibility of striking unless contract negotiations address retiree health care benefits. Meanwhile, retirees have filed suit against a Fresno school district that stopped fully covering the cost of premiums. Stockton Record, Fresno Bee.
CMS Computer Network Has Security Weaknesses
A GAO report finds that CMS in some cases does not ensure that the company that owns and operates the network follows agency security policies and standards. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
County Moves Forward With King/Drew Transfer
Los Angles County officials approved a plan that would reduce services at Martin Luther King/Drew University Medical Center and end its medical education relationship with Drew University. Washington Post et al.
California Healthline Highlights Recent Legislative Activity
Gov. Schwarzenegger recently signed a bill that extends the time period during which workers’ compensation claimants are permitted to choose their own physicians and vetoed a bill that would have required hospitals to develop patient lifting policies to prevent back injuries among employees. Office of the Governor.
Labor Board Revises Union Eligibility
The ruling states that supervisory classification should go to workers who serve in a supervisory role “according to a pattern or schedule” and “at least 10% to 15% of their total work time.” Washington Post et al.