Latest California Healthline Stories
Retiree Health Costs Strain School District
Increasing retiree health care costs are putting financial strain on the San Francisco Unified School District, which is expected to continue losing federal funding because of declining enrollment. San Francisco Chronicle.
Bill Would Improve Veterans’ Health Access in Rural Areas
A Maine representative plans to introduce a bill next week that would improve health care access for U.S. veterans in rural areas. Bangor Daily News.
Medicaid Payments for Undocumented Immigrants ‘Unfair’ to Low-Income, Legal Residents, Op-Ed States
An “open-door policy” over the past 10 years has resulted in “state agencies around the country that look the other way” when undocumented immigrants seek health care and other services, a practice that “routinely lets those who disobey the rules get many of the benefits of citizenship,” according to an opinion piece. Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
State Fund To Reduce Workers’ Compensation Premiums
The State Compensation Insurance Fund announced it will reduce workers’ compensation insurance premiums by 10% in July. Contra Costa Times et al.
Most U.S. Adults Support No-Cost Online Access To Federally Funded Medical Research, Poll Finds
More than 80% of U.S. adults say the results of federally funded research on health issues and other subjects should be available online at no cost to doctors and the general public, according to a recently released online Harris Interactive poll. Wall Street Journal Online.
Gubernatorial Candidates Campaign as Election Nears
Democratic gubernatorial candidates Steve Westly and Phil Angelides are discussing policy issues at personal campaign stops and releasing “attack ads” as the June 6 primary election nears. Los Angeles Times et al.
Low Medicare and Medicaid Payments Cost Private Payers
U.S. employers and consumers are paying billions of extra dollars each year for medical care in hospitals and doctors’ offices to offset underpayments from Medicare and Medicaid, according to a study released on Wednesday by Seattle-based Premera Blue Cross. New York Times et al.