Latest California Healthline Stories
CBO Report Lowers Cost Projection for ACA by $104B
A report from the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Committee on Taxation finds the Affordable Care Act will cost about $104 billion less over the next decade than previously projected. The report largely attributes the decrease in cost to reduced government spending on federal subsidies. Washington Post‘s “Wonkblog” et al.
Rx Drug Spending, Health Care Use Rise in 2013, Report Finds
A new report from IMS Health finds that consumer spending on prescription drugs last year increased by 3.2% but that the spike was tempered by greater use of generic drugs. The report also notes that patients’ use of various health care services increased across the board. Reuters.
Covered California Officials: No Further Enrollment Extensions
State residents must complete their Covered California enrollment applications today to avoid facing a penalty next year. Exchange officials say further extensions of the enrollment deadline will not be granted. KQED’s “State of Health,” Vallejo Times-Herald.
New Medical School To Be Built in San Bernardino County
On Monday, officials at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton announced plans to build a new medical school in San Bernardino County. The California University of Science and Medicine, or Cal Med, will be funded by $40 million from the not-for-profit Prime Healthcare Foundation and is slated to open in 2016. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation, L.A. Advocates File Ballot Measure To Create City Health Commission
On Monday, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and other health care advocates in Los Angeles filed an initiative for the Nov. 4 ballot that would create a 15-member city Health Commission to oversee disease monitoring, facility inspections and other services provided by Los Angeles County health departments. The move comes after advocates dropped a campaign to create a city health department separate from the county’s health agency. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
MACPAC Recommends Two-Year CHIP Funding Extension
On Friday, members of the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program Payment and Access Commission unanimously voted to suggest that Congress extend funding for CHIP for an additional two years to give time to fix insurance plans offered through the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges. The suggestion will be included in the committee’s report to Congress in June. Modern Healthcare.
Calif. Bill Would Increase Access to Drug Used To Treat Overdoses of Morphine, Oxycodone
A bill being considered by the California Legislature would increase the availability of naloxone, a drug that commonly is used to reverse respiratory depression caused by overdosing on painkillers, such as morphine and oxycodone. The bill, which was introduced by Assembly member Richard Bloom, would make the drug available without a prescription at pharmacies in the state. San Francisco Chronicle.
Sens. Boxer, Whitehouse Urge Obama Administration To Study Health Risks of Keystone Pipeline
Last week, Sens. Barbara Boxer and Sheldon Whitehouse urged the Obama administration to focus on potential health risks associated with the Keystone XL oil pipeline. The lawmakers also released a letter signed by the American Public Health Association and the National Association of County and City Health Officials calling for research into the project’s health effects. San Francisco Chronicle.
California Measles Cases Reach 56, Dept. of Public Health Officials Say
California Department of Public Health officials have reported five additional cases of measles in the state, bringing the total this year to 56 cases. That figure far surpasses the four measles cases confirmed in California at the same time in 2013 and marks the first time since 2000 that there have been more than 40 cases in the state. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Problem-Plagued Calif. Medical Prison Remains Closed to Admissions
A court-appointed overseer of California’s prisons has not yet determined when the state’s largest medical prison facility will accept new admissions. In February, admissions were halted after a report found several problems at the California Health Care Facility, such as unsanitary conditions and inadequate medical care for inmates. Los Angeles Times.