Latest California Healthline Stories
Mental Health Spending Plans Reviewed
Alameda County officials say they will resubmit to the state a spending plan for mental health services funded by a 2004 tax increase, while San Joaquin County supervisors delayed voting on the county’s spending proposal. Contra Costa Times, Stockton Record.
Increased Tax Revenue Boosts County Budget
Ventura County plans to spend the majority of a proposed $1.5 billion budget on health programs and social services. Los Angeles Times.
Young Adults Largest, Fastest Growing Uninsured Population
Adults between the ages of 19 and 29 are the largest and fastest growing population of uninsured U.S residents, a study finds. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Supervisors Approve Antiviral Drug Stockpile
Riverside County supervisors approved a plan to stockpile about $500,000 worth of an antiviral medicine to be distributed to health workers during a flu pandemic. Los Angeles Times.
Needle Exchange Program Rejected
Fresno County supervisors voted against creating a legal needle exchange program but said they would consider a joint program with the city of Fresno. Fresno Bee.
Insurers No Longer Allowed To ‘Co-Brand’ Drug Plans
Insurers sponsoring plans under the Medicare drug benefit will not be allowed to “co-brand” with other organizations for 2007 and future plan years. CQ HealthBeat.
County To Hire Additional Mental Health Workers
Riverside County will use funds from Proposition 63 to expand mental health services for homeless people in the area. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Commission Might Consider Tax Increases
A bipartisan commission proposed by President Bush to study entitlement programs might consider tax increases to address their financial problems. CongressDaily.
Kaiser Permanente Enters High-Deductible Market
Under a new health plan being offered by Kaiser Permanente, employers would be required to contribute up to 80% of deductibles for low-premium health plans for workers. San Francisco Chronicle.
Pharmacist Groups Call for Passage of ‘Prompt Pay’ Bill
The pharmacist groups say payments from pharmacy benefit managers under the drug benefit are too slow and too small for community pharmacies to cover their expenses. CQ HealthBeat et al.