Latest California Healthline Stories
Calif. Court Rejects Pharmacies’ Medi-Cal Rate Challenge
A California appeals court has ruled that managed health care plans in the state do not have to consider pharmacies’ costs for obtaining prescription drugs when setting their Medi-Cal reimbursement rates. A lawyer for the Medicaid Defense Fund said he will take the case to the state Supreme Court. San Francisco Chronicle.
EHR Adoption Rising in Calif., but Implementation Problems Persist
The majority of California health care providers have adopted electronic health record systems. However, EHR implementation has proven difficult for many providers and, in some cases, has negatively affected patient care. One expert estimates that it can take two years for doctors to become fully competent with EHRs. HealthyCal.
California Is Eighth-Least Obese State in the U.S., Gallup Poll Finds
A new Gallup poll finds that California is the eighth-least obese state in the U.S. According to the poll, the 10 least-obese states had significantly lower rates of cancer, diabetes, depression and high blood pressure than the 10 most-obese states. Sacramento Business Journal et al.
White House Will Likely Extend Administrative Fix for Canceled Plans
The Obama administration is expected to announce an extension of up to three years to an administrative policy allowing U.S. residents to keep their health plans even if the plans do not meet minimum coverage standards under the Affordable Care Act. Without the extension, a second round of cancellation notices would be sent to consumers this October. Reuters et al.
L.A. Supervisors Order Audit of County Health Department’s Nursing Home Investigation Procedures
On Tuesday, Los Angeles County supervisors ordered an audit of the county Public Health Department’s investigation procedures for health and safety complaints at nursing homes. The audit comes after reports that LADPH told inspectors to halt such investigations as part of a project to reduce the backlog of complaints. Los Angeles Times.
13 California Facilities Named Top Hospitals
PIH Health Hospital in Whittier, Scripps Green Hospital in La Jolla and Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento have been named to Truven Health Analytics’ list of the top teaching hospitals in the country. In addition, Truven named Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood, Paradise Valley Hospital in National City and Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Torrance as top large community hospitals in the country. Seven other California hospitals were listed as top medium and small community hospitals. U-T San Diego.
Obama Administration Aims To Curb Medicare Spending on Care for Undocumented Immigrants
President Obama’s fiscal year 2015 budget proposal outlines new guidelines and regulations to rein in tens of millions of dollars in annual Medicare spending on care for undocumented immigrants. Although current law prohibits such immigrants from obtaining Medicare and other federal benefits, federal authorities have found that many of them still are receiving the benefits. New York Times.
Most Flu-Related Deaths, Hospitalizations in Sacramento County Occurred in Low-Income Areas
Many of the influenza-related deaths and hospitalizations in intensive care units in Sacramento County have affected individuals from low-income areas of the county. Such individuals are more likely to regularly use public transportation and lack health care access. Sacramento Bee‘s “Healthy Choices.”
In an article published last week, a former Department of Veterans Affairs employee said that the VA Greater Los Angeles Medical Center knowingly erased thousands of patient exam requests in an effort to reduce a growing backlog of requests. On Wednesday, VA Undersecretary for Health Robert Petzel dismissed the report as inaccurate. FierceHealthIT, Daily Caller.
States’ Medicaid Expansion Decisions Affect Those With HIV/AIDS
A new study published in Health Affairs finds that about 60,000 individuals with HIV/AIDS will remain uninsured because they live in states that are not expanding their Medicaid programs. The study was conducted by researchers from California and other states. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules.”