Latest California Healthline Stories
AARP Members in California ‘Strongly Support’ Reform
AARP has released surveys of its members’ attitudes on the House health care reform package as part of the group’s efforts to rally support for Democratic overhaul plans. The surveys show that compared with AARP members nationwide California AARP members feel like they’ve heard more about reform efforts and more strongly support reform.
Members of Congress Divided on House Bill’s Implications for California
A number of California Democrats trumpeted the approval of the House bill and immediately started listing what the bill would do for their constituents back home. Republican lawmakers saw things differently, warning that the bill would force California to change its medical malpractice laws.
Elements of House Health Care Reform Bill Echo California Efforts
The House’s health care reform legislation includes provisions reminiscent of legislation Gov. Schwarzenegger has vetoed, such as measures aimed at curbing rescissions and clamping down on insurers’ administrative costs. That said, language in the House bill aims to address concerns Schwarzenegger and other governors have raised about states’ share of the cost of proposals to expand Medicaid.
White House Talks Up Cost-Savings Plans To Bolster Reform
Officials in the Obama administration are firing back against questions that Democratic health care reform proposals do not adequately address rising health care costs. For instance, Anthem Blue Cross of California’s parent company put out a study this month projecting that the plans would result in higher premiums.
House Panel, HHS Look at Health Reform and Small Businesses
A House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing looked at the hurdles small businesses encounter offering health insurance benefits to workers, and HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius released a report explaining what the administration expects health care reform proposals to do for small firms.
California’s Senators Face Tough Calls as Health Reform Bill Advances
In recent days, Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein have thrown their support behind a public option and raised questions about a proposed tax on medical device makers. Now that a health care reform bill has cleared the Senate Finance Committee, Boxer and Feinstein will be pressed to state their positions on other elements of reform legislation.
Studies on Health Care Spending Fuel Reform Debate
The Obama administration is touting data from an IOM report that the U.S. health care system is riddled with more than $800 billion in excess costs each year, but Sen. Dianne Feinstein and other senators are questioning whether current proposals are really going to deliver the reforms that are needed.
Provision Won’t Give California Extra Help on Medicaid Expansion
California is not one of the four states that meet criteria in the Senate Finance Committee’s health care overhaul proposal to have the federal government bear the entire cost of expanding the states’ Medicaid programs for five years. The information comes as new data show poverty is on the rise in California.
New Data Underscore Impact of Health Care Reform for California
A White House report that came out in recent days highlights what California can expect to get — and pay — under Democratic health care reform proposals, while new Census Bureau data provide a more detailed look at what parts of California are plagued with high rates of uninsured residents.
Industry Steps Up Opposition to Health Reform Proposals
Health care industry groups are taking issue with specific elements of health care reform proposals backed by President Obama and congressional Democrats. AHIP is challenging plans to cut Medicare Advantage payments, and medical device makers are criticizing proposals for a new tax on devices and diagnostic tools.