Latest California Healthline Stories
Covered Calif. More Competitive Than 2012 Individual Market
A Kaiser Family Foundation analysis finds that there are more insurers with at least 5% market share in Covered California than there were in the 2012 individual market. In addition, the market share of the largest insurer — Anthem Blue Cross — fell from 47% in 2012 to 30% in Covered California. KQED’s “State of Health.”
Enrollment in ACA Exchanges Reaches 5M, Tavenner Says
CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner says as of Sunday at least five million U.S. residents had enrolled in health plans through the Affordable Care Act’s federal and state-operated insurance exchanges. However, it remains unclear how many people have paid their first month’s premiums. New York Times et al.
More Calif. Residents Turn to Crowdfunding To Pay Medical Expenses
California residents increasingly are turning to crowdfunding websites to seek help paying medical expenses, including copayments and medication costs. However, observers say that consumers should consult with a tax adviser to confirm how donations might affect their filing status or Medi-Cal standing. HealthyCal.
66% of U.S. Residents Satisfied With Health Care System, Poll Finds
A new Gallup poll finds the majority of U.S. residents are satisfied with the current state of the U.S. health care system. According to the poll, which did not include questions about the Affordable Care Act, health insurance played a key factor in respondents’ satisfaction. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” Washington Times.
Editorial: Lawmakers Need To Approve Legislation To Address Geographic Cost Disparities in Calif.
A Sacramento Bee editorial calls on lawmakers to pass legislation that would address “big geographic disparities” in California by regulating health insurance and hospital rates. The editorial notes that hospital prices, as well as premiums for health plans being sold through the state health insurance exchange, are significantly higher in Northern California than in Southern California where there is more competition among hospitals. Sacramento Bee.
UC-San Francisco Researchers Find 24% Increase in Childhood Mental Health Hospitalizations
A new study by researchers at UC-San Francisco finds that nearly 10% of hospitalized children originally were diagnosed with a mental health disorder, such as depression. In addition, mental health hospitalizations among children increased by 24% from 2007 to 2010, according to the study. U.S. News & World Report.
White House Rethinking Surgeon General Nomination
The White House is considering delaying a Senate vote on President Obama’s surgeon general nominee, Vivek Murthy, or wholly withdrawing the nomination, according to an official. Some Senate Democrats who are up for re-election in November have signaled that they would not support Murthy’s confirmation, after the National Rifle Association said it opposed Murthy’s nomination because he expressed support for gun-control measures. New York Times et al.
Lawsuit Filed Over Medical Data Breach in Torrance
On Friday, two law firms in Los Angeles filed a complaint in Superior Court on behalf of a patient whose personal information was comprised in a data breach at Sutherland Healthcare Solutions’ Torrance office earlier this month. The suit claims that Sutherland did not offer adequate relief to individuals affected by the breach. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
California’s Flu-Related Death Toll Climbs to 332
As of March 7, 332 individuals in California have died this year after contracting influenza, according to the state Department of Public Health. Officials say the death toll this year is more than three times higher than the flu-related death toll for all of 2013. KPCC’s “KPCC News,” Sacramento Business Journal.
CMS Proposes Rules To Increase Oversight of Exchange Health Plans
CMS has unveiled a set of proposed rules that would boost federal oversight of plans offered through the federal health insurance exchange and require insurers to include 30% of essential community providers in their plans, among other requirements. Insurers criticized the proposed rules, saying they could increase consumers’ premiums. Modern Healthcare et al.