President Obama's road show on healthcare reform is coming to California on April 6. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire will co-moderate in Los Angeles for the event that will link participants from Oakland, San Diego, and Clovis (Fresno County) via satellite.
After participating in a recent White House healthcare summit, New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is returning to New Hampshire to hear more from those on the front lines of the issue. Shaheen will meet with healthcare advocates and providers to discuss rising healthcare costs and the need for comprehensive healthcare reform.
California health inspectors have fined Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center $560 for violating state workplace rules, a penalty assessed after investigators confirmed employee complaints that helicopter exhaust fumes were entering the hospital's ventilation system from the rooftop landing pad. The fine by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health stemmed from a January inspection of the $1.02-billion facility, which opened its doors in November.
Soaring medical costs may drive up premiums paid by already beleaguered California employers for workers' compensation insurance, after rates plunged 65% over the last six years. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who forged major changes in the state workers' comp law in 2004 that slashed rates, has launched a bid to stop a potential 24.4% rate hike now being discussed.
While Washington has put health reform on the fast track, a group of Tennessee thought leaders wants to see a more gradual approach that uses Tennessee, and perhaps a few others, as laboratories to test ideas, improve access to care, and trim medical costs.
Under its proposal, The Rolling Hills Group recommends phasing in universal coverage over 10 years at a rough cost of $100 billion a year. The group includes representatives of private business, hospitals, and an ex-BlueCross BlueShield executive.
Individuals who lost their jobs in the last several months may be eligible for employer-sponsored health insurance coverage at greatly reduced rates. The federal government will pay 65% of COBRA continuation coverage premiums as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The coverage will apply to individuals who lost or lose their jobs between Sept. 1, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2009 and are eligible for continuing coverage under COBRA.