Health Care & Prescription Drugs News

As Washington grapples with what yesterday’s election will mean for the health care reform bill, a new analysis from the consumer group California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) finds that the legislation will mean up to 43,000 more jobs created annually in California. With job losses now the central economic issue confronting America, the analysis shows that the health care cost savings the bill will achieve will help businesses add new employees.

With the addition of the managers' amendment, the Senate health reform bill earned a B+ from the public interest group CALPIRG for its consumer-friendly provisions tackling soaring health costs.

As the Obama administration and Congress work to enact comprehensive reform, there have been few issues more widely discussed than health care. But the debate has overlooked one critical perspective: that of California’s young people.

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 12 – The newly released report on health care costs released by accounting giant Price Waterhouse Cooper and paid for by the insurance lobby, America’s Health Insurance Plans, is just one more industry scare tactic, according to the good government and consumer group CALPIRG.

Consumer group gives baucus health plan a B- on cost-savings, offers suggestions on how to bring the grade up to an A

Health care reform can save the nation $3 trillion, with billions of dollars of benefits for every state in the union including $300 billion in California, according to a new report released today by CALPIRG.

Streamlining Billing Can Save Money and Give Doctors More Time to Spend With Their Patients

If you are a consumer and you want to buy a blender or a new car, there are dozens of research studies available comparing cost, effectiveness, reliability, and durability -- but doctors often have few places to turn for information on life-saving treatments.

An Insurer Efficiency Standard Could Save $1 Billion Annually

Today, the Supreme Court stood up for patients by refusing to bow to drug company arguments that they shouldn’t be accountable for the harms their drugs may cause.

Sacramento hospitals lead the state in providing high-quality, cost-effective care

Report shows industry-set standards fail to protect patients.

Facing a projected $14 billion budget shortfall, California lawmakers are right to consider how the landmark health care reform bill, ABX1-1, will affect the deficit. But ABX1-1 brings in new money for health care that could not be used to plug the gap in the general fund, as well as limiting health care costs moving forward.

With the Assembly convening on Monday and new amendments made to the health care reform bill, the pieces are in place for California’s leaders to close a deal on reforms that could greatly expand coverage, contain the surging costs of health care, and give consumers a fair shake when buying insurance.

We welcome the Speaker’s announcement on Tuesday of his plan for health care reform. While the details haven’t fully been released, it looks to contain costs, expand coverage, and help consumers get a fair shake when buying insurance.