Latest California Healthline Stories
Many Consumers Open to Narrower Provider Networks Offered in Less Expensive Health Insurance Plans
A slight majority of U.S. adults say they would be willing to select health plans in the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges with narrower provider networks, as long as the premiums are significantly lower than those of plans with broader networks, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation’s February tracking poll. Overall, the survey found that younger and lower-income individuals were more likely to prefer a limited, less-costly plan. Los Angeles Times‘ “Politics Now,” Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules.”
RAND Study Casts Doubt on Medical Home Model’s Effectiveness
A RAND study published online in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that a patient-centered medical home pilot produced few savings or care quality improvements. The study’s lead author says the findings do not necessarily suggest that medical homes are ineffective. New York Times et al.
Drug, Alcohol Clinics Stay Open Despite Fraud, Report Finds
A recent Center for Investigative Reporting report finds that about a dozen Los Angeles County clinics that participate in the Drug Medi-Cal Treatment Program have remained open despite state audits that found they committed fraudulent billing practices. Center for Investigative Reporting.
Report: 125K ‘Deferred Action’ Immigrants Qualify for Medi-Cal
A new report by researchers at the UC-Berkeley Labor Center finds that as many as 125,000 young California immigrants who qualified for legal status through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program could be eligible for Medi-Cal coverage. However, researchers say that fear of deportation might be keeping many from enrolling. Los Angeles Times‘ “Money & Co.”
Medical Board Task Force Drafting Guidance To Curb Overprescribing
During a meeting last week, a Medical Board of California task force met to discuss the development of new draft guidelines aimed at stopping doctors from overprescribing prescription medications. The task force hopes to have new rules approved by the state Medical Board by this fall. Sacramento Business Journal.
San Diego Approves Medical Marijuana Regulations
Yesterday, the San Diego City Council approved new zoning regulations that will allow up to 30 medical marijuana shops to legally operate in certain commercial and industrial areas of the city. The rules note that only four such shops can operate in each council district and the businesses must be at least 1,000 feet away from each other, schools, parks and churches. AP/U-T San Diego.
New CMS Data Find Varying Success Rates for ACOs Providing Treatment for Diabetes, Heart Disease
Accountable Care Organizations formed under the Affordable Care Act have varying success rates treating heart disease and diabetes, according to CMS data on five ACO quality measures released Friday. Overall, ACOs hit Medicare goals for 65% to 75% of their patients on average. Kaiser Health News.
Contra Costa County Stakeholders Team Up To Ensure Children Receive Adequate Trauma Care
Brain development researchers and nonprofit organizations in Contra Costa County are partnering with providers, educators and other stakeholders to ensure that traumatized children are properly diagnosed and treated. The efforts come as the county joins about 30 other communities across the world to become “trauma-informed.” Contra Costa Times.
UC-Santa Barbara Begins Administering Meningitis Vaccine
On Monday, UC-Santa Barbara began administering to students a meningitis vaccine not yet approved in the U.S. Federal regulators approved the use of the drug at the university after four students in November 2013 were diagnosed with a form of bacterial meningitis that does not respond to the meningitis vaccine currently approved for use in the U.S. CNN.
More GOP Governors Back Medicaid Expansion Alternatives
More GOP governors are seeking federal waivers to expand their Medicaid programs on their own terms. Despite threats of retaliation from opponents of the ACA, governors who support Medicaid expansion are finding themselves in a better position to win re-election. Washington Post et al.