Latest California Healthline Stories
Study Finds Health Disparities in Ventura County
Fifteen percent of Ventura County residents are uninsured, and 11% are enrolled in Medi-Cal, researchers found. Ventura County Star.
41.2M Lacked Health Insurance Last Year, Study Finds
Among the findings of the survey, about one-third fewer children were uninsured in 2005 than eight years earlier. Reuters, Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times.
Lawsuits Allege Nurse Wage Conspiracies
Nurses in four cities filed lawsuits alleging that more than 17 hospitals conspired to maintain artificially low wages. Wall Street Journal et al.
Senate Committee Debates Assisted Suicide Bill
Lawmakers next week will vote on a bill that would allow doctors to prescribe life-ending medications to terminally ill patients. The measure’s prospects remain unclear. San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee.
Bill Permits More Visas for Nurses
The measure would allow up to 500 foreign nurses to come to the U.S. annually on visas to work in areas with nursing shortages. CQ Today.
Health-Related Measures Qualify for Ballot
A tobacco tax measure to fund children’s health insurance and other health programs qualified for the ballot, as did a measure to require parental notification before an abortion can be performed on a minor. San Jose Mercury News, San Francisco Chronicle.
Newsom Unveils Universal Health Access Plan
A proposal by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom would provide all uninsured city residents with access to a range of health services. The proposal would cost an estimated $200 million annually. Los Angeles Times et al.
Mental Health Department Prepares for Changes
Funds from a state program to fund mental health care will allow the Kern County Mental Health Department to restructure the department and provide more integrated care. Bakersfield Californian.
CalPERS Committee Rejects Health Benefit Changes
The CalPERS health committee voted to increase health plan premiums and rejected proposals intended to reduce premium increases, including a proposal that would have raised copayments. Los Angeles Times et al.
Better Care Available at Not-For-Profit Hospitals
An Urban Institute analysis finds that not-for-profit hospitals offer better care than for-profits in terms of cost, quality and accessibility. Reuters/Yahoo! News.