Latest California Healthline Stories
Avalere: Exchange Enrollment Likely To Miss Projected 6M Goal
An Avalere Health analysis predicts that about 1.2 million more U.S. residents will sign up for coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s insurance exchanges by March 31. The figure would bring total enrollment to 5.4 million, just short of the White House’s goal of six million. Washington Post‘s “Wonkblog,” The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Legislature Approves Audit of Calif. Long-Term Care Facility Oversight
Yesterday, the Legislature’s Joint Legislative Audit Committee approved a request to conduct an audit of the state’s oversight of long-term health care facilities. The approval comes after lawmakers received reports about a backlog of complaints against such facilities. Lake County News.
California Trauma Center Closures Lead to Increased Risk of Death
A study finds that injured Californians were 21% more likely to die if they faced longer drive times to a trauma center after a nearby trauma facility closed down. The lead author said the findings suggest that trauma center closures in urban areas could contribute to economic health disparities. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules.”
Calif. Schools Receive Top Rankings for Medical, Health Specialties
UCLA, UC-San Francisco and the University of Southern California nabbed top rankings for their medical and health specialty programs in recent rankings by U.S. News & World Report. The rankings were based on surveys of school officials, standardized test scores of new enrollees, acceptance rates and other criteria. Sacramento Business Journal et al.
Covered California Has Not Earned ‘Bragging Rights’ Over Latino Outreach, Opinion Piece Argues
Daniel Garza, executive director of the LIBRE Initiative, in an opinion piece argues that Covered California “hasn’t exactly earned bragging rights” when it comes to Latino enrollment and outreach. Garza writes that the state health insurance exchange has misspent taxpayer funds on inadequate marketing to Latinos. He also notes that no Latino individuals are on the exchange board. U-T San Diego.
A new study finds that prescription drug benefits in health plans sold in California and Massachusetts do not meet essential health benefits under state and federal laws, including the Affordable Care Act. The study — published in the February issue of the American Journal of Managed Care — revealed minor inconsistencies between benchmark and nonbenchmark plans sold in the states and recommended implementing a value-based insurance model. FierceHealthPayer.
UC-Davis’ MIND Institute has been named an Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center — one of only 15 facilities to receive the designation in the U.S. In addition to the designation, the institute will receive $6.5 million in grant funding over five years. Sacramento Business Journal.
Some States Planning To Seek Open Enrollment Extension
Several states with their own health insurance exchanges are planning to seek federal approval for an extension to the open enrollment period — which ends on March 31 — to allow more people to sign up for coverage. Discussions about an extension arose following the chaotic rollout of the federal exchange website and some state-run websites last year, but those talks dwindled despite lingering problems with some of the sites. Washington Post‘s “Wonkblog.”
On March 7, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge rejected the AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s challenge to two health care services contracts that Los Angeles County awarded without using a competitive bidding process. However, the judge also ruled that the county Department of Public Health “abused its discretion” by not using a competitive bidding process for a third contract mentioned in the lawsuit. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
House OKs Bill To Expand Individual Mandate’s Religious Exemptions
Yesterday, the House passed a bill that would expand religious exemptions to the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate to include those who feel the coverage would comprise their religious beliefs. It is unclear if the bill will pass the Democrat-controlled Senate. Wall Street Journal et al.