Latest California Healthline Stories
The “overwhelming support” for abortion rights among voters in California might have implications for the upcoming presidential election, according to the results of a Field Poll released Friday, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
HHS Secretary Thompson Addresses Summit on Obesity in the United States
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson on Wednesday opened a summit on obesity in Williamsburg, Va., by urging people to take personal responsibility for their health and vowing to continue encouraging the food industry to make healthful changes, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports.
Ventura County Administrators Propose Budget Plan With Health Care Funding Cuts
Ventura County administrators on Wednesday presented a $1.3 billion budget proposal for fiscal year 2004-2005 that recommends laying off 300 workers and reducing funding for some health and social service programs, the Ventura County Star reports.
USA Today Examines Potential Effect on Small Businesses of Employer-Sponsored Health Coverage Law
USA Today on Friday examined the effect on small businesses of a law (SB 2) that will require some California businesses to provide health insurance to employees.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority should contribute an additional $4 million toward health insurance costs for members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1277, which represents mechanics employed by MTA, a three-member arbitration panel on Wednesday said in a nonbinding recommendation, the Long Beach Press Telegram reports.
HMO Premium Increases Might Drop To Single Digits in 2005, Study Finds
HMOs will seek premium increases for large employers averaging 13.7% in 2005, meaning that premium increases could drop into the single digits following negotiations between insurers and employers, according to a report by the employee-benefits consulting firm Hewitt Associates, the New York Times reports.
Sen. Judd Gregg Introduces Bill To Allow Prescription Drug Reimportation From Canada, Europe
As expected, Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chair Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) on Wednesday introduced a bill that would allow the reimportation of lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada and 15 European Union nations, the AP/Manchester Union Leader reports.
Sharp HealthCare Nurses Agree To Continue Negotiations
Nurses at San Diego-based hospital chain Sharp HealthCare on Friday agreed with management to reopen contract negotiations on Wednesday and delay filing a 10-day notice to strike, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Although the decision last month by CalPERS to drop 38 of the most costly hospitals, including 13 Sutter Health facilities, from its Blue Shield of California HMO network beginning in 2005 “will bring wrenching change to thousands of patients and much of the California health care industry,” Sutter’s financial health is “likely to remain untouched,” the Sacramento Bee reports.
The prescription drug discounts that veterans receive through the Department of Veterans Affairs exceed the savings that are available through the new prescription drug discount cards, according to a new study released Wednesday by Families USA, the Hartford Courant reports.