Latest California Healthline Stories
38 GOP Lawmakers Support Lawsuit Against Congressional Subsidies
Thirty-eight Republican lawmakers have signed an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit challenging the legality of employer contributions to help members of Congress and their staffs purchase coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges. Washington Times.
Advocates Push for Access to Care for Medi-Cal Beneficiaries
Amid a flood of new Medicaid enrollees and delays in the application process for the program, California health advocates say the state must ensure that beneficiaries have access to care. Experts say that individuals awaiting approval of their application likely are not receiving the health care they need. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News,” Orange County Register/Kaiser Health News.
Workplace Safety Bill Unveiled After Attacks on Calif. Hospital Nurses
Following two separate attacks on nurses at Los Angeles County medical centers, California Sen. Alex Padilla has introduced a bill that would require the state’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board to implement stricter violence prevention plans to protect health care workers. Orange County Register, Torrance Daily Breeze.
Calif. Lawmakers, County Officials Call for Increased Funding Under Prison Realignment Plan
During a Public Policy Institute of California panel discussion on Monday, California lawmakers — including state Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg — called for increased reporting requirements and additional mental health and rehabilitation funding under the state’s prison realignment plan. Meanwhile, county-level officials across the state are urging Gov. Brown’s administration to provide more funding for additional jail space, inmate mental health counseling and other programs under the realignment plan. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert,” AP/KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Opponents of Ballot Measure To Grant California Authority Over Insurance Premium Hikes Raise $24M
As of last week, opponents of a ballot initiative that would give the state government regulatory authority over health insurance premium rates had raised $24 million for efforts to defeat the measure, including contributions from Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, the California Association of Health Plans, Health Net, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Wellpoint. Opponents say the measure would increase the cost of care in California, while supporters say it would prevent unjustifiable rate increases. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Assembly Advances Smoking-Ban Bill for Home Day Cares
On Monday, the California Assembly passed legislation that would prohibit smoking inside home day care centers at all times. Currently, smoking is banned in home day care centers during hours of operation, but research shows that smoking indoors during off-hours could expose children to lingering “third-hand smoke,” which could negatively affect their health. The bill now heads to the Senate.
More Counties Should Adopt Laura’s Law, Editorial Argues
An Orange County Register editorial argues that more counties should implement Laura’s Law, a state law that gives counties the option to allow courts to require treatment for residents with severe mental health conditions. The editorial states that serious mental health issues, such as schizophrenia and paranoia, often can only be solved by “local governments working with law enforcement and health care agencies.” Orange County Register.
Tablets Helped Sutter Home Health Agency Cut Costs, Improve Care Coordination
The use of tablet computers at Sutter Care at Home, a home care and hospice agency affiliated with Sacramento-based Sutter Health, has helped reduce costs and improve care coordination, according to a new case study by the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives. In the first year, the use of the tablets, in combination with a standardized formulary, helped cut medical supply costs by 20% per visit. mHealthNews, Healthcare IT News.
Healthy Way L.A. To Be Re-Launched; Advocates Urge Funding Boost
Health care advocates in Los Angeles County are pressuring officials to increase funding for the Healthy Way L.A. program, which will be re-launched this fall in an effort to increase health care access for residents who remain uninsured after Affordable Care Act implementation. Experts say the program could be a model for other local governments across the U.S. The Guardian.
State Lawmakers Mull Medical Marijuana Regulation
This week, the California Legislature will consider two competing bills to establish a regulatory framework for the state’s medical marijuana industry. Cities and police departments are backing a bill, by Sen. Lou Correa, that aims to impose greater oversight of the medical marijuana industry, while physicians support a measure, by Assembly member Tom Ammiano, that would impose more-relaxed regulations. U-T San Diego.