Latest California Healthline Stories
California Hospitals Wonder if Feds Will Kick in for Health Reform
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s health care reform plan would rely on $3.7 billion in federal funds, but officials for the California Hospital Association are not convinced that the federal government will come through with the money.
SPECIAL AUDIO REPORT: CMA Chief Says Health Care Reform Within Reach
Joe Dunn said “of course” CMA opposes a provision of the governor’s health care plan that calls for physician contributions but that he has “cautious optimism” about the prospects for reform in California’s this year.
Will Health Care Reform Lead to a Single-Payer System?
Health care advocates are evaluating reform proposals offered by Gov. Schwarzenegger and leaders of the Assembly and Senate as short-term strategies to address flaws in the health care system, possibly interim steps toward a single-payer health system.
Health Care Reform Efforts Taking Shape
Talk of health care reform in California is drawing attention nationwide, with some leaders who have a stake in the health care system saying that whatever happens in California could shape efforts nationwide.
Getting Health Insurance for All: A Paradoxical Problem
A new study by the Public Policy Institute of California indicates that the number of immigrants living in California could pose special challenges to efforts to expand health insurance coverage, especially for undocumented immigrants who are ineligible for government programs.
Computer Program Used To Define Basic Coverage
A not-for-profit California organization has designed a project using a computer-based program to solicit public input on what basic coverage for the uninsured should include.
Retail Clinics Catering to Uninsured Hispanics
Some health care advocates question whether retail clinics offer patients comprehensive care, but operators of such clinics say they are providing services that are otherwise inaccessible to some patients.
Health Care Not a Prime Focus of Gubernatorial Election
Health care ranked sixth in a poll asking likely voters what issue they want gubernatorial candidates to discuss in their campaigns, a finding that some experts say is a function of electoral demographics: Likely voters are more likely to have health insurance coverage.
Legislation on Drug Benefit Assistance Stalls
Advocates had supported a bill that would have provided subsidies for drug benefit copayments, and some groups say they will seek similar legislation in 2007.
Hospitals, Healthy Kids Have Stake in Election
A proposed tobacco tax increase would provide funds for hospital emergency departments, Healthy Kids programs to provide children’s health insurance and other health care programs, but tobacco companies have donated tens of millions of dollars to combat the initiative.