Latest California Healthline Stories
Committee Members Likely To Support CHIP Extension Beyond 2015
Yesterday, members of the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program Payment Access Commission appeared to agree that Congress should continue funding CHIP beyond the program’s Oct. 1, 2015, end date. Modern Healthcare, MedPage Today‘s “Gupta Guide.”
Report: ACA Challenges in Calif. Could Be Lessons for Other States
A new survey released by the Kaiser Family Foundation examines some of the difficulties uninsured California residents faced at the start of open enrollment under the Affordable Care Act and highlights how California could offer lessons for other states implementing the law. Kaiser Health News, KFF report.
Covered California’s Enrollment Portal Taken Offline for Fixes
Covered California has removed the enrollment function from its website after receiving reports earlier this week that software glitches were ending users’ sessions during the application process. Covered California said it expects the site to be fully functioning by Friday. Los Angeles Times et al.
California Flu Season Worst in State Since 2009, CDC Says
The 405 severe influenza cases reported in California from Sept. 29, 2013, to Jan. 18 make this the state’s most severe flu season since 2009, according to a CDC report released Thursday. Almost all of the deaths and flu-related illnesses reported this year were caused by the H1N1 strain of the virus, according to researchers. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
Not-for-Profit Campaign Aims To Help Youth Aging Out of Foster Care Retain Medi-Cal Coverage
Children Now, a California not-for-profit organization, is working with the state Department of Health Care Services and other groups to ensure that children who have aged out of a foster care system are able to retain Medi-Cal coverage. The group will use a California Wellness Foundation grant to fund an outreach campaign to youth in foster care. Payers & Providers.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of February 21, 2014
The University of California’s 8,300 service workers have voted to authorize a strike and more than 13,000 patient care technical workers at the university voted to authorize a sympathy strike. The National Labor Relations Board has upheld a vote by registered nurses at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco to join the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United.
Calif. Drought Plan Includes $15M for Drinking Water
On Wednesday, California officials revealed a $687-million plan to address the state’s drought problems that includes $15 million to provide emergency relief for drinking water shortages. The funding comes in large part from voter-approved bonds. AP/U-T San Diego.
Beverly Hills Gives Initial OK To E-Cigarette Restrictions
On Tuesday, the Beverly Hills City Council gave preliminary approval to regulations that would ban e-cigarettes from city buildings, open air dining areas, parks and workplaces. The rules, which are subject to a second vote in March, would also allow landlords to restrict or ban e-cigarette use in their buildings and make it illegal for the products to be sold in vending machines. AP/Sacramento Bee, Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
Duke University Executive Named Next President of IOM
On Wednesday, the National Academy of Science announced that Duke University Health System President and CEO Victor Dzau will be the next president of the Institute of Medicine. Dzau — who begins his six-year term on July 1 — succeeds Harvey Fineberg, who served as president of the advisory group for 12 years. Dzau is a cardiologist by training and was a pioneer on the use of gene therapy for vascular disease. Modern Healthcare et al.
Covered California Surpasses Target for Open Enrollment
About 829,000 California residents have enrolled in health coverage through the state insurance exchange, exceeding the state’s goal six weeks before open enrollment ends. Meanwhile, about 21% of the California residents who signed up for coverage as of the end of January identified as Latino. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert” et al.