Latest California Healthline Stories
Governor Supports Medi-Cal Managed Care Enrollment
Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Kim Belshé writes that Gov. Schwarzenegger supports managed care enrollment for some Medi-Cal beneficiaries and criticizes the Sacramento Bee for its coverage on the governor’s signing of a bill to expand health insurance coverage. Sacramento Bee.
Schwarzenegger, Angelides Convene Health Care Meetings
Gov. Schwarzenegger moved to expand the use of health technology and build 500 health clinics in elementary schools, while gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides laid out a five-point plan to overhaul the state’s health care system. Contra Costa Times et al.
Rodham Clinton Outlines Health Care Affordability Plan
The campaign initiative includes tax credits and incentives to make the cost of health care and other services more affordable for middle-class and low-income U.S. residents. Washington Post et al.
Hearing Set for CHW Settlement
A Superior Court judge set a September hearing date to determine how to proceed in a class-action pricing lawsuit involving Catholic Healthcare West and as many as 800,000 uninsured patients. AP/San Francisco Examiner, Sacramento Bee.
Sutter Wins Defamation Case Against Union
A jury ruled that Northern California-based Sutter Health was defamed by a union that sent postcards to women accusing the hospital of using dirty linens. Oakland Tribune.
A van sponsored by a state commission that distributes funds for children’s health care and education programs will travel across the state this summer to promote health education. Sacramento Bee.
300% Proposed Tobacco Tax Increase Criticized
Critics of a measure to increase the state tobacco tax by 300% to fund children’s and other health programs say it would hurt California businesses and increase black market sales of cigarettes. USA Today.
Doctors Look To Reform Care System
Some doctors and physician organizations are examining ways to reduce health care costs while improving doctor-patient relationships. Santa Cruz Sentinel.
FDA To Set Guidelines for Advisory Panel Members
FDA is expected to announced the details of a policy that would codify the agency process of granting waivers that allow experts with certain financial ties to prescription drug companies to serve on advisory panels. New York Times, AP/Houston Chronicle.
Bill Would Establish Catastrophic Coverage Pilot Projects
Federal legislation was introduced to develop six pilot projects that would allow states to expand health care through primary and preventive care coverage with high-deductible catastrophic coverage and high-risk pools. CQ HealthBeat.