Health Insurance

Jul 31 2012

Created to use tobacco tax revenues to fund health programs

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—The Board of Supervisors today approved $87.3 million in programs to fight childhood obesity, provide insurance coverage for children and offer substance abuse treatment to their parents, but the source of funding remains uncertain because one supervisor—calling the plan a rip-off—voted against it.

Jul 26 2012

Sheryl L. Spiller has 40-plus years with the county

Sheryl L. Spiller, whose 40-plus years with the county of Los Angeles began as a clerk typist, was sworn-in last week to lead the 13,500-employee Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) in its efforts to provide benefits and services to low-income individuals and families in the second largest locally operated social services agency in the nation.

With her official swearing in, Spiller became the first ever African American to lead the department in its nearly 100-year history.

Juliana D. Norwood  |   OW Staff Writer
Dec 29 2011

Some changes have already been implemented

All of this healthcare reform jibber jabber has certainly left many confused. Last year President Barack Obama signed into law the Affordable Healthcare Act that promises Americans better coverage.

Changes were instituted as of Sept. 23, 2010.

According to the new plan, if individuals purchased or joined a new plan on or after that date, insurance companies must do the following:

Oct 14 2011

Passionate advocacy on behalf of the patients

LOS ANGLES, Calif.—Former Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo was named today as chief executive officer of the Los Angeles County Medical Association, which cited his litigation, public policy and economic development experience.

“Rocky Delgadillo is the ideal choice, given his deep knowledge and experience and his passionate advocacy on behalf of the patients that we serve,” said Troy Elander, president of the medical association’s board.

“Rocky has a track record of providing game-changing leadership.”

May 12 2011

African American health disparities

“We must find ways for African Americans and other minorities to access quality healthcare and improve their health outcomes in a medical system that continues to neglect minorities in every aspect of healthcare, from research through end-of-life care,” state Sen. Curren Price told a recent all-day Healthy Lifestyles Initiative Conference at the California Science Center in Exposition Park.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
 

Alabama
Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will address the annual African American Business Council luncheon on June 28. Hrabowski, who is chairman of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans, has a national reputation for his work studying the performance of minority students in math and science. Hrabowski, named one of the 10 best college presidents in the country by Time magazine, was a child leader in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the 1960s.
 

Arkansas
The Liberty Counsel filed a motion and a brief in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking to intervene on behalf of a Concepts of Life crisis pregnancy center to defend against a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights. The groups seek to impose a permanent injunction before the Human Heartbeat Protection Act goes into effect July 18. Liberty Counsel also filed a brief opposing the ACLU’s request for an injunction. The “Heartbeat” bill states that when a woman seeks an abortion at or after the 12th week, doctors must test for a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed and inform the pregnant mother that the child in her womb has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, a woman cannot have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and if a mother’s life is in danger. “As we promised when the legislation was introduced, Liberty Counsel will defend this law without reservation for the people of Arkansas, born and pre-born,” said Matt Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “No right is more foundational than the right to life. Without life, all other rights are irrelevant,” concluded Staver.