Latest California Healthline Stories
Transition From COBRA to Exchange Could Cause Coverage Gap
California residents who purchase health coverage through the state’s health insurance exchange after previously being insured through COBRA might end up without coverage for several weeks if they missed the March 15 application deadline for coverage starting April 1. U-T San Diego.
Covered Calif. Plans To Boost Outreach to Latinos, Youth
Peter Lee, executive director of Covered California, says that the state’s insurance exchange will be “doubling down” on outreach efforts targeting Latino individuals and young adults in California ahead of the March 31 deadline for open enrollment. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules,” Kaiser Health News/Los Angeles Daily News.
House Approves Bill To Repeal SGR, Delay Individual Mandate
The House has approved a Republican-sponsored measure that would offset the cost of repealing and replacing Medicare’s sustainable growth rate formula by delaying enforcement of the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate through 2019. The measure is expected to stall in the Democratic-controlled Senate. Wall Street Journal et al.
Measles Cases in Calif. 10 Times Higher Than at Same Time Last Year
The California Department of Public Health has announced that 32 measles cases have been confirmed in the state this year, compared with three cases at this time in 2013. Several of the 2014 cases involve individuals who have traveled to India, the Philippines or Vietnam. HealthyCal, Los Angeles Times’ “L.A. Now.”
UC Patient Care Technical Workers Authorize Five-Day Strike for Later This Month
Thirteen thousand patient care technical workers at the University of California — which are represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 — have approved a five-day strike from March 24 through March 28. The strike is in response to alleged unfair labor practices. Forty-nine patient care technical workers have been exempted by the union to provide urgent medical care during the strike. Sacramento Business Journal.
San Jose Mayor Abandons Pension Reform Effort
On Friday, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed said he is abandoning efforts to pass a ballot initiative that would have granted cities greater authority to change pension and retirement benefits for public workers. Reed said the move comes after state Attorney General Kamala Harris wrote an unfavorable description of a proposed ballot measure. San Jose Mercury News.
Study Questions Accuracy of Google Flu Trends Tracker
A new study published in the journal Science finds that Google Flu Trends in recent years has largely overestimated the number of flu cases when compared with federal data. A researcher says that Google could improve its flu tracker tool by making its algorithm and research available to the public. NPR’s “Shots,” Time.
Kaiser Permanente Taps Teledermatology To Boost Access to Care
Kaiser Permanente has the most robust teledermatology program in the U.S. Under the program, primary care physicians send photographs of questionable skin issues directly to a dermatologist. The dermatologists screen the photographs as part of their daily routine, and the pictures are attached to patients’ medical records. Proponents of the technology say it improves patients’ access to specialists. However, critics warn that teledermatology may not be as accurate as face-to-face appointments. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Los Angeles Collected $8.6M Over Three Years in Taxes From Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
Over the last three years, Los Angeles has collected $8.6 million in business taxes from medical marijuana dispensaries, according to the city’s finance director. Voter-approved Proposition D allows only 100 registered medical marijuana dispensaries in the city. It also raised the tax on such businesses from $50 to $60 per $1,000 of gross receipts. AP/U-T San Diego.
House Republicans Criticize White House for ACA Hardship Extension
House Republicans are criticizing the Obama administration for quietly extending a hardship exemption to the individual mandate that Republicans say effectively delays the provision but threatening to veto GOP-sponsored legislation to delay the mandate. Washington Times et al.