Latest California Healthline Stories
HSAs Unlikely To Reduce Health Care Spending
High-deductible health plans with health savings accounts are unlikely to reduce health care spending because they do not increase out-of-pocket costs for consumers with high health care expenditures. Bloomberg/Hartford Courant.
Campaign Will Address Children’s Health Coverage
More than 30 health and education groups launched a campaign to raise awareness about the millions of U.S. children without health insurance. Washington Times, CongressDaily.
Uninsured Pay More for Medication Than Federal Government
Prescription drug costs for uninsured residents in California are among the highest in the nation relative to the prices paid by the federal government, a report found. San Diego Union-Tribune et al.
CMS Updates Medicare, Medicaid Spending Estimates
Medicaid spending has not increased by as much as originally estimated in 2006, but Medicare spending growth is exceeding estimates. CQ HealthBeat.
Benefit Changes Considered for San Francisco Retirees
San Francisco supervisors are considering several options to address a nearly $5 billion unfunded liability for retiree health care benefits. San Francisco Examiner.
Compromise Reached on San Francisco Health Access Plan
Amendments to legislation requiring employers to contribute to workers’ health care would increase the number of hours per week employees must work to be eligible and would not require businesses to begin paying until July 2007. San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner.
Needle-Exchange Program Reauthorized
A San Diego not-for-profit group will provide funds for supplies and staff for a program city council members approved this week. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Bush Reiterates Plans To Veto Stem Cell Legislation
President Bush said he would veto legislation to fund embryonic stem cell research because it involves the destruction of human embryos. Reuters et al.
Senators Say CMS Should Delay Medicare Payment Changes
The proposed changes would replace the current charge-based reimbursement system with a cost-based system and affect reimbursements to specialty hospitals and for medical devices. CQ HealthBeat, Dow Jones.
Future of Physician-Assisted Suicide Efforts Unclear
Some advocates for legalizing physician-assisted suicide are unsure about how they will proceed with their work in the face of continued opposition. However, an editorial states that efforts are underway to qualify the issue for a statewide ballot. San Jose Mercury News, Oakland Tribune.