Latest California Healthline Stories
Medicare Drug Costs Higher Than Other Options
A report by Democratic House members finds that other government programs and some retailers offer lower-cost prescription drugs than are available to Bay Area residents under the Medicare drug benefit. Oakland Tribune.
House Ways and Means Committee Chair To Retire
Rep. Bill Thomas (R-Calif.) will not seek re-election in November, when term limits will end his tenure as chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. San Francisco Chronicle, et al.
Grassley Criticizes Medicare QIO System
Medicare’s system for investigating complaints about poor care is “broken” and provides “no benefit to improving the overall quality” of care received by Medicare beneficiaries, Senate Finance Committee Chair Chuck Grassley wrote in a letter to CMS. Washington Post, et al.
County Spending on Bioterrorism Preparedness Questioned
Los Angeles County has spent federal dollars intended for bioterrorism preparedness on some unrelated programs, while other funds have gone unspent, a Los Angeles Times review finds. Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee.
U.S. Residents Question Health Care Reform Efforts
A poll finds that a majority of U.S. adults lack confidence in the ability of the administration of President Bush to reform the U.S. health care system. Wall Street Journal Online.
Mayor, Supervisors Offer Spending Proposals for Surplus
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors and Mayor Gavin Newsom are discussing plans for an unexpected budget surplus, including some funding for the health department. San Francisco Chronicle, El Tecolote/New America Media.
Automakers Could Get Health Care Assistance for Increased Fuel Efficiency
Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) proposed that the federal government pay some of automakers’ health care costs if they produce cars that get higher gas mileage. Miami Herald, Detroit News.
Los Angeles County Gets $70M for Mental Health Care
Los Angeles County received the first and largest allocation of Proposition 63 funds to provide services for residents with mental illnesses. County officials will begin discussing disbursement of the $70 million this week. Los Angeles Times.
State Loans $186M to Hospitals
The state will loan some California hospitals $186 million until delayed Medi-Cal payments are made available. Stockton Record.
Federal Health Care Committee Hears Public Comment
California residents discussed health care reform at a federal commission meeting in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Times.