Latest California Healthline Stories
Surveys Highlight ACA’s Effect on U.S. Uninsured Rate
Several new surveys show the Affordable Care Act has reduced the U.S. uninsured rate. One Gallup survey shows the uninsured rate fell from 17.1% in the last quarter of 2013 to 15.6% in the first quarter of 2014, while separate research finds that uninsured rates declined faster in ACA-friendly states than those that oppose the law. Washington Post‘s “Wonkblog” et al.
CalPERS Votes To Move Yolo County to Sacramento Rating Region
Yesterday, the CalPERS Board of Administration voted 9-2 to move Yolo County from the Bay Area health plan rating region to the Sacramento rating region. The move comes despite a pension fund committee recommending delaying any rating system changes for at least one year. Sacramento Business Journal.
Calif. Campaign Aims To Help Latinos Access Health Services
A new comprehensive campaign launched this week aims to bring health care information and referrals to more Latino state residents. The campaign will include the release of a family resource directory of health care and other services and the creation of a committee to “deal specially with Latino health issues.” Sacramento Bee.
IT Startup Aims To Meet Deadline To Launch Health Care Coverage for Technology Industry
Hacker Lab, a Sacramento-based not-for-profit company that helps technology startups, is working to meet a Thursday evening deadline to launch its health care coverage — called “HackerCare” — for people and businesses in the technology industry. Company officials are waiving the initial $50 annual enrollment fee to help sign up at least 21 more people needed to have qualifying insurance and avoid a tax penalty. Sacramento Bee.
AMA Report: U.S. Doctors Added $1.6T to Economy in 2012
U.S. physicians in 2012 contributed $1.6 trillion to the economy, and each doctor supported an average of about 13 jobs, according to an analysis released Wednesday by the American Medical Association. The analysis estimated that U.S. doctors supported more than 9.9 million jobs and paid more than $65 billion in local and state taxes. MedPage Today.
ACA Estimates Omit Consumers Who Enrolled in Health Plans Directly With Insurers
Recent estimates of the number of U.S. residents who have enrolled in insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act have largely neglected to include those who have enrolled in non-exchange plans. Larry Levitt, a senior vice president at the Kaiser Family Foundation, said the number of people who have enrolled directly with insurers is an important gauge of how well the ACA is doing. Alaska Public Radio News/Kaiser Health News.
L.A. Budget Proposal Includes Hiring More Medical Staff
This week, officials in Los Angeles County proposed a $26 billion budget that would increase county medical staff — such as nurses and social workers — to help implement health care reform. County CEO William Fujioka said supporting the county’s medical system is a top priority as more residents gain health coverage. Los Angeles Times.
Calif. DPH To Set Limit for Chromium in Drinking Water
On Tuesday, the California Department of Public Health announced plans to mandate a limit of 10 parts per billion of hexavalent chromium — a carcinogen — in drinking water in the state. It would be the first drinking water standard for the chemical in the U.S. Los Angeles Times.
Calif. Safety-Net Providers Face Heavier Workload, Funding Cuts
Community clinics and public hospitals are experiencing a heavier workload as more California residents obtain health coverage under the Affordable Care Act. In addition, safety-net facilities also are facing budget cuts from state and federal programs as the law is implemented. KQED’s “State of Health.”
Revamp of Census Survey Could Compromise Ability To Assess ACA
Federal officials say that revisions to health insurance questions in the Census Bureau’s annual survey could make it difficult to tell if fluctuations in uninsured rates are the result of the Affordable Care Act or the question changes. New York Times et al.