Latest California Healthline Stories
San Diego County Still Struggles With Immunization Rates
On Tuesday, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors reviewed a biennial report that found that while the county is meeting nearly all of its goals for healthy children and families, childhood immunizations continue to be a challenge. Supervisor Ron Roberts charged San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency Director Nick Macchione with the task of developing ways to increase immunization rates. U-T San Diego.
Pharmaceutical Groups Seek Delay of New Generic Drug Payment Rate
Drugmakers and pharmacists have sent a letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius seeking a one-year transition period before states switch to a new Medicaid reimbursement calculation system for generic prescription drugs as called for under the Affordable Care Act. The new calculation would reduce payments for generic drugs by about 22%. Modern Healthcare.
Enrolling in Covered Calif. Plans More Difficult Than Expected
A California HealthCare Foundation report finds that most residents who enrolled in a health plan through Covered California had trouble accessing call centers and selecting health plans. Meanwhile, the exchange’s website and call centers experienced heavy traffic yesterday. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules” et al.
Campaign for Ballot Initiative on Medi-Cal Provider Fee Raises $51M
A campaign to promote a proposed ballot measure that proponents say would eliminate uncertainty around a Medi-Cal quality assurance fee has garnered $51 million from hospitals and other health-related entities in California. So far, officials say the campaign has collected 1.3 million signatures in support of the measure. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
By Friday, officials say that about 90 general population inmates will be transferred to the California Health Care Facility, the state’s largest medical prison facility. The move comes after a court-appointed overseer halted admissions of patient inmates to the facility after an inspection found unsanitary conditions and inadequate medical care. Stockton Record.
Waxman, Durbin Release Report Finding E-Cigarette Marketing Is Targeted at Youth
On Monday, Rep. Henry Waxman and Sen. Dick Durbin released a report finding that e-cigarettes companies are marketing the products to young people by running commercials during youth-oriented television shows and providing no-cost samples at youth-oriented events. The lawmakers are urging FDA to regulate e-cigarettes. San Francisco Chronicle‘s “Politics Blog.”
RAND: ACA Expected To Decrease Workers’ Comp Payouts, Increase Medical Malpractice Claims
The Affordable Care Act likely will reduce annual automobile and workers’ compensation insurance payouts by almost $900 million and $740 million, respectively, by 2016, according to a study by the RAND Institute for Civil Justice. However, the study also found that medical malpractice claims are expected to increase by $120 million annually under the ACA. Modern Healthcare.
Hospital, Provider IT Networks Could Be Affected by ‘Heartbleed’ Data Encryption Bug
Hospitals’ and providers’ online networks — including email accounts, electronic health records and remote monitoring devices — could be vulnerable to an encryption bug called “Heartbleed,” according to security experts. David Harlow, principal of health care law Harlow Group, warned that health groups that do not rely on OpenSSL should be worried about ramifications of the massive breach. Modern Healthcare, FierceHealthIT.
Calif.’s Long-Term Care Costs Outpace National Median, Report Says
A report by Genworth Financial finds that long-term care in California is more costly than it is nationally. For example, researchers say that the state’s median costs for a nursing home or assisted-living facility room are higher than the national medians. Sacramento Business Journal, Genworth Financial report.
Report: Calif. Hospitals Lack Beds for Those With Mental Illnesses
A report finds that California psychiatric hospitals do not have enough beds for individuals with severe mental health issues, leading many individuals with mental illness to end up in prison or jail. Meanwhile, county mental health courts are working to address the growing number of inmates with mental illnesses. HealthyCal et al.