universal healthcare

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) has vetoed a proposed universal healthcare bill for California. If passed, the bill would have extended coverage to all 36 million California residents, replacing the current private insurance system with a state-run system. In a column printed in the San Diego Union-Tribune, Schwarzenegger defended his decision, claiming, "Such a program would cost the state billions and lead to significant new taxes on individuals and businesses, without solving …

Universal healthcare seems to be back in vogue, with two Congressmen proposing new healthcare bills designed to increase access to affordable care. Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) is pitching a program which will be based on the Medicare model. Documents provided by the congressman's office say that the plan will be financed by "using the administrative efficiencies within Medicare and building on the existing coverage people receive through their jobs today." AmeriCare, as it is called, …

As expected, the Massachusetts law that would set up a "nearly" universal healthcare system in the state remains at the top of the news. The bill's passage this week prompted calls by newspapers across the country for other states to enact similar legislation. But even supporters are acknowledging that the devil may be in the details. The New York Times reports that the real challenge for the state is "creating a viable market in affordable insurance policies, so that businesses …

> Rumor Mill: First Consulting Group president Steve Heck will be named CEO in the next week. Blog

> Nationwide Health, a trust that invests in healthcare real estate, priced its public offering. Article

> The National Institute of Standards and Technology proposes to tag …

More than 15 years after Mike Dukakis' failed attempt to extend universal healthcare in Massachusetts, the state is looking seriously at the issue again. Republican Gov. Mitt Romney is pushing for an individual mandate to buy health insurance that would cost would between $140 and $320 a month for a high-deductible plan. The Democratic controlled state House has passed a "pay or play" plan that includes a tax on employers which Romney opposes. The goal is to extend insurance to …

> In the wake of the Wal-Mart memo, The Wall Street Journal looks at strategies some employers are using to select healthier employees. Article (sub. req.)

> A Harris Interactive/Wall Street Journal poll finds Americans to be generally skeptical about in-store clinics that offer basic healthcare services. …

> New health plans designed specifically for part-time workers are being provided by large employers. Article

> The National Cancer Institute announced $144 million in grants for the study of ways in which nanotechnology could be used to prevent and fight cancer. Article

> In San Diego, Sun Microsystems is …

Democratic Senators Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) and John Corzine (D-NJ) introduced legislation yesterday which would require states to report the names of companies which have 50 or more employees receiving government subsidized healthcare. The legislation specifically targets large employers like Wal-Mart, who have drawn heavy criticism from some observers recently for failing to provide benefits for their workers. The lawmakers noted that more than 600,000 of Wal-Mart's 1.2 million employees …

> Eli Lilly announced last night that it will pay $690 million to settle about 8,000 class-action suits filed by people who say they developed diabetes and suffered from other health problems after taking the company's schizophrenia drug Zyprexa. The drug remains on the market, although sales fell about 8 percent last year. Story

> In a move guaranteed to …

> The Indian government says reports of new HIV infections have fallen dramatically. Story

> PBM Express Scripts declares a 2-for-1 stock split. Story

> In Illinois, lawmakers agree to a $500,000 cap in malpractice cases. …