Latest California Healthline Stories
Democrats will block the next state budget unless Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) reverses some state rules to implement the workers’ compensation reform law (SB 899) passed last year, including provisions related to medical care, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez (D-Los Angeles) said Tuesday, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reports.
Most Uninsured U.S. Residents Not Likely To Enroll in Health Savings Accounts, Study Finds
Most uninsured U.S. residents likely will not enroll in high-deductible health plans with tax-free health savings accounts, according to a new study sponsored by the Commonwealth Fund, the Boston Herald reports.
San Diego County Officials Discuss Allocation Options for Mental Health Funding
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved changes to the way the county provides mental health services, including the elimination of 68 staff positions, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
The Assembly Health Committee on Tuesday “voted overwhelmingly in favor” of a bill (AB 1698) by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez (D-Los Angeles) that would ban health insurers from removing dependents under age 26 from a parent’s health plan, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Orange County Required To Increase Budget Allocation for Retiree Health Benefits
Officials on Tuesday said that Orange County may have to budget at least $110 million annually beginning in July to cover retiree health care benefits — nearly five times the current plan — because it soon must identify funding for covering the benefits for the next 30 years, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Columnist Promotes Nationalized Health Care Spending System
General Motors’ recent problems with health costs, the new Medicare law, the “state and local health care time bomb” and “Congress’ recent refusal to trim soaring state Medicaid subsidies” all indicate a “path toward the nationalization of health care spending — an idea that’s so easy to slam politically yet so sensible for business that only Republicans can sell it,” columnist Matt Miller writes in a Fortune opinion piece.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Announces New Food Pyramid With Focus on Exercise
The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday released “a dramatic redesign of its familiar food pyramid” that focuses on exercise and 12 models to improve dietary habits, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Hearings on Legislation Addressing Chemicals in Consumer Products Scheduled for This Week
The Legislature this week will hold hearings on bills related to chemicals in cosmetics and children’s toys, the Contra Costa Times reports.
Statewide Union Coalition Seeks To Reduce Costs at Sutter Health, Other Hospitals
A statewide coalition of labor unions on Tuesday announced a new campaign to address rising hospital costs, specifically targeting alleged “exceptionally high prices” at Sutter Health, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Former FDA Commissioner David Kessler Endorses Prescription Drug Reimportation Bill
Former FDA Commissioner David Kessler on Tuesday at a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing recommended that Congress pass a bill (S 334) that would allow U.S. residents to reimport lower-cost prescription drugs from other nations, the Los Angeles Times reports.