RSS Science/Health Updated: Saturday, November 21, 2009, 4:19 pm PST
SF health care a model during national debate
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — This city did not wait for Washington’s health care overhaul. Most uninsured adults here are already reaping the benefits of a government-run health care program — seeing doctors, filling prescriptions, and getting surgeries they could not otherwise afford.
Healthy San Francisco is the nation’s first city-run universal health care plan. While not insurance and not valid outside the city, it does illustrate how some hotly debated elements of plans being considered on Capitol Hill might play out.
In just over two years, the $126 million program has won over its target population, and now covers about 48,000 people — more than two-thirds of San Franciscans who previously had no insurance.
About $20 million a year comes from employers who are required to contribute to their workers’ health care. The mandate is a contentious aspect of the Democratic plan, and the most controversial aspect of San Francisco’s plan.
Healthy San Francisco is the nation’s first city-run universal health care plan. While not insurance and not valid outside the city, it does illustrate how some hotly debated elements of plans being considered on Capitol Hill might play out.
In just over two years, the $126 million program has won over its target population, and now covers about 48,000 people — more than two-thirds of San Franciscans who previously had no insurance.
About $20 million a year comes from employers who are required to contribute to their workers’ health care. The mandate is a contentious aspect of the Democratic plan, and the most controversial aspect of San Francisco’s plan.
Science Headlines
Beams of protons circulate in European Big Bang machine after more than a year of repairsGENEVA (AP) -- Scientists switched on the world's largest atom smasher for the first time since the $10 billion machine suffered a spectacular failure more than a year ago, circulating beams of protons in a significant leap forward for the Large Hadron Collider....Florence museum: lost Galileo relics, a tooth and 2 of astronomer's fingers, found againROME (AP) -- Two fingers and a tooth removed from Galileo Galilei's corpse in a Florentine basilica in the 18th century and given up for lost have been found again and will soon be put on display, an Italian museum director said Friday....Vatican researcher says faint writing on Shroud of Turin proves its authenticityROME (AP) -- A Vatican researcher has rekindled the age-old debate over the Shroud of Turin, saying that faint writing on the linen proves it was the burial cloth of Jesus. Experts say the historian may be reading too much into the markings, and they stand by carbon-dating that points to the shroud being a medieval forgery....Health Headlines
GOP: Recommendations for fewer women's health tests could mean rationed health care under billWASHINGTON (AP) -- Republicans are seizing on this week's recommendations for fewer Pap smears and mammograms to fuel concern about government-rationed medical care - and to try to chip away support by women for President Barack Obama's proposed health care overhaul....Fired psychiatrist says Marines suffering from stress are getting shoddy care at Camp LejeuneCAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (AP) -- Marines treated at Camp Lejeune for post-traumatic stress had to undergo therapy for months in temporary trailers where they could hear bomb blasts, machine-gun fire and war cries through the thin walls, according to servicemen and their former psychiatrist....Bishops discuss authority over Catholic colleges after uproar over Notre Dame's honor of ObamaBALTIMORE (AP) -- Fallout continues from the summer controversy over the University of Notre Dame awarding an honorary degree to President Barack Obama, who supports abortion rights....
More Headlines
November 20th, 2009
November 16th, 2009
November 9th, 2009
November 3rd, 2009
October 19th, 2009
October 15th, 2009
October 12th, 2009
October 5th, 2009
September 28th, 2009
September 23rd, 2009
Most Read Stories (This Week)
Most Commented Science/Health Stories
