Latest California Healthline Stories
Sens. Clinton, Reid Introduce Environmental Disease Tracking Bill
Sens. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) yesterday introduced a bill that would create a national tracking system to study the link between chronic diseases and the environment, AP/Newsday reports.
CalPERS Cuts Losses in Self-Funded Plans, But Still Considering a Single Statewide Program
CalPERS announced this week that it lost $6.3 million on its self-funded health plans last year, down from a $74.5 million loss in 2000 when “soaring hospital and pharmaceutical costs outstripped premium income in the two plans,” the Sacramento Bee reports.
Bush administration officials on Wednesday told members of a House subcommittee that Medicare should “more closely resemble” the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to “better serve” beneficiaries, Reuters Health/Yahoo! News reports.
House Passes $2.1 Trillion Budget Plan as Senate Democrats Unveil Their Proposal
The House yesterday approved a $2.1 trillion budget plan for fiscal year 2003 as Senate Democrats formally unveiled their proposal of the same amount, the AP/Houston Chronicle reports.
Los Angeles County Supervisors Vote to Close Four Public Health Clinics, Transfer Some Services
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to close four public health clinics and transfer some services from High Desert Hospital to Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, the Long Beach Press-Telegram reports.
Minorities Receive Lower Quality of Care Than Whites, New Institute of Medicine Report Finds
Minorities in America generally receive poorer health care than whites, even when income, insurance and medical conditions are similar, according to a comprehensive report released yesterday by the Institute of Medicine.
Palomar Pomerado Health District Will Increase Hospital Rates 8% Beginning April 1
Palomar Pomerado Health district will increase hospital rates and other services by an average of 8% beginning April 1, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Administration Signals Willingness To Negotiate a Compromise on Mental Health Parity Legislation
The Bush administration is sending signals to members of Congress that it is willing to negotiate a compromise on mental health parity legislation, CongressDaily reports.
Online Health Benefit Tools May Present Unexpected ‘Pitfalls,’ Study Says
Internet-based tools for health benefits decision-making and administration offer “some advantages” to employers and employees but may also present unexpected “pitfalls,” according to a new report by the Commonwealth Fund.
Riverside County Considers Plan to Take Over Parkview Hospital Emergency Room
Riverside County may take over and operate the emergency room at Parkview Community Hospital in Riverside, an “unprecedented” move in the state, the Riverside Press Enterprise reports.