Latest California Healthline Stories
Many Employers Enter National Debate Over the Uninsured
The New York Times today looks at a shift in the health care debate among employers, who “have long viewed the uninsured as the responsibility of the government” but are now advocating expanding health coverage because growing numbers of uninsured people are increasing costs for their employees’ health care.
House Judiciary Committee Approves Bill To Cap Noneconomic Damages in Medical Malpractice Lawsuits
The House Judiciary Committee yesterday on a 15-13 vote approved a bill (HR 5) that would cap noneconomic damages in medical malpractice lawsuits at $250,000, CongressDaily reports.
California Healthline erroneously reported in a Feb. 24 story that the Palo Alto Medical Foundation has considered plans to switch to a boutique medical practice model. The story should have reported that PAMF has considered plans to add a small boutique medical practice to the foundation’s current selection of health care services.
Contra Costa County Rejects Plan To Keep Needle Exchange Program Operating
Contra Costa County’s Board of Supervisors Monday rejected a plan that could have saved the county’s needle-exchange program by cutting services and assuming management of the program from the private agency that administers the program, the Contra Costa Times reports.
President Bush Unveils Medicare Reform Framework in Speech to American Medical Association
As expected, in a speech before the American Medical Association yesterday, President Bush unveiled his Medicare reform framework, which he said would give beneficiaries “a broad choice among competing health care plans,” like those available to federal employees, the New York Times reports.
Orange County Board of Supervisors Approves $106 Million in Budget Cuts
The Orange County Board of Supervisors yesterday approved $106.4 million in spending cuts for fiscal year 2003-2004, including budget cuts to county health and social service programs, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Senators Propose Aid for Emergency Care for Undocumented Immigrants
A bipartisan group of senators and representatives yesterday proposed legislation that would give states providing a large amount of uncompensated care to undocumented immigrants $1.45 billion in aid each year over five years, the AP/Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Santa Rosa Press Democrat Examines Provider Compliance with New Federal Medical Privacy Rule
The Santa Rosa Press Democrat on Monday examined the steps that health care providers have taken to comply with a new federal medical privacy rule that takes effect April 14.
New York Times, USA Today Examine California’s Medical Malpractice Insurance Law
The New York Times today examines the cap on jury awards in medical malpractice lawsuits under California’s Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act of 1975, on which some federal proposals to limit jury awards in medical malpractice cases are modeled.
House Subcommittee Passes Malpractice Reform Bill To Limit Jury Awards
The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee yesterday approved a bill (HR 5) that would limit noneconomic damages awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits to $250,000, CongressDaily/AM reports.