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Medicare Facts and Figures, 2010 Edition

California has the largest number of Medicare beneficiaries in the United States. This overview of Medicare in California examines the population covered by the program, as well as quality of care, utilization, and spending.

Trends in California's Health Care Markets

Four new issue briefs examine local health care systems to gain insights into regional characteristics and identify common themes and emerging issues that influence how Californians receive their health care.

Employer Health Benefits Survey

The 2009 California Employer Health Benefits Survey shows that workers are paying more in premiums and out-of-pocket costs. And more firms are considering reducing or dropping coverage for employees.

Health Care Reform

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02/08/2010

WellPoint CEO Calls Reform Debate 'Wasted Opportunity'

In an opinion piece, Joseph Rago speaks with Angela Braly -- the CEO of WellPoint, the nation's largest commercial insurer by membership -- about her take on the health care reform debate. She also said health insurers support health care reform proposals that would tackle the issue of health care costs and criticized current reform bills that would increase regulations on insurers. WellPoint is the parent company of Anthem Blue Cross of California. Wall Street Journal.

02/08/2010

President Calls for Televised Bipartisan Health Care Forum

In a Superbowl pre-game interview, President Obama called for a half-day meeting on health care reform with both Republicans and Democrats in attendance. The White House resisted calls from Republican leaders to scrap current reform legislation and restart talks, and aides said the president would attend the meeting with a merged version of the Senate and House bills. New York Times et al.

02/05/2010

President Obama Lays Out Approach To Passing Health Care Reform

President Obama said that once lawmakers work out differences between House and Senate health care overhaul plans, he wants to a hold a public debate with lawmakers of both parties and independent experts on the merits of the plan. New York Times' "Prescriptions," AP/San Francisco Chronicle.

02/05/2010

Experts: California Might Need To Go Solo on Health Care Reform

During a forum yesterday, experts noted that California might be on its own in efforts to expand health care coverage to uninsured residents. However, the state might face difficulty adding more residents to its already strained Medi-Cal program. Sacramento Bee, AP/Fresno Bee.

02/04/2010

President Urges Senate Democrats To 'Finish the Job' on Health Reform

President Obama continued making the rounds among congressional caucuses yesterday and called on the Senate Democratic caucus to stay committed to enacting health care reform legislation.  The president appeared before House Republicans last week. The Hill et al.

02/04/2010

In Health Affairs Q&A, CHCF CEO Discusses Future Efforts

Mark Smith, CEO of the California HealthCare Foundation, recently sat down with Health Affairs Editor-in-Chief Susan Dentzer to discuss CHCF's experiences working to modernize the enrollment process in public assistance programs and pushing other changes to the health care delivery system, as well as potential initiatives if national health care reform passes.  Health Affairs.

02/03/2010

Obama Keeps Up Push for Health Care Reform at New Hampshire Event

The central message from President Obama's appearance in New Hampshire yesterday was a new job creation program, but he also said that he remains committed to getting health care reform legislation through Congress. New York Times et al.

02/02/2010

Pay-Go Approval Could Pave Way to Medicare Physician Payment Fix

Last week, the Senate approved pay-as-you-go rules but exempted from the legislation $82 billion in funding that could go to offset scheduled payment reductions for Medicare physicians for five years. Congress would have to authorize the funding to avert the pay cuts, the first of which kicks in March 1. Politico et al.

02/02/2010

Rep. Miller Confident Congress Will Pass Health Care Reform

On Monday, House Education and Labor Committee Chair George Miller (D-Calif.) said he is confident lawmakers will pass health care reform this year. According to some reports, Democrats are pursuing a strategy in which the House would pass the Senate bill and send it back with amendments to the Senate under a budget reconciliation process that requires only a simple majority vote. Contra Costa Times.

02/02/2010

California's Single-Payer Scheme Among Several State Health Proposals

A recent proposal to create a single-payer health care system in California is one of several state efforts nationwide to expand coverage to more residents. Proponents of SB 810 say the measure could help set the stage for a future ballot initiative. Wall Street Journal, Contra Costa Times.

02/02/2010

Obama's Budget Would Provide $1.5B in Extra Medi-Cal Funds

California would receive about $1.5 billion in additional Medi-Cal funding as part of the $25 billion allotted for state Medicaid programs under President Obama's latest budget plan. However, California's proposed share still falls short of the $6.9 billion federal funding request sought by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and other state officials. Los Angeles Times et al.

02/01/2010

States Would Get More Medicaid Funds Under President's Budget Plan

Today, President Obama released his latest budget proposal, which is estimated to cost about $3.8 trillion. The budget would provide more funds to state Medicaid programs by extending a program from the 2009 federal economic stimulus package. New York Times et al.

02/01/2010

Democrats Still See Chance of Enacting Health Care Reform

Democratic leaders in the House and Senate say they are considering the budget reconciliation process and other strategies to pass national health care reform legislation, despite the loss of their filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers are calling for Congress to start over on health care reform and pursue different approaches. CQ Today et al.

01/29/2010

Single-Payer Plan Clears State Senate; Governor Expected To Veto Bill

In a nearly party-line vote, the California Senate voted yesterday to approve a bill that would create a single-payer health care system in the state. Gov. Schwarzenegger has pledged to veto the measure if it reaches his desk. San Francisco Chronicle et al.

01/29/2010

Democratic Leaders in Congress Stress Commitment to Reform

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and other Democratic congressional leaders pledged to continue work on health care reform, but acknowledged that the issue will take a back seat to job creation on the congressional agenda. Politico et al.

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