Latest California Healthline Stories
Democrats Plan To Address ACA Ahead of Midterm Elections
A Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee memo recommends that the party ahead of the 2014 midterm elections discuss the Affordable Care Act’s problems while highlighting the downfalls of GOP repeal efforts. The strategy marks a significant shift from Democrats’ 2010 election strategy. Politico, New York Times.
Ammiano Calls for Continued Access to Healthy S.F. for U.S. Citizens
U.S. citizens in San Francisco will no longer qualify for Healthy San Francisco if they are eligible for Medi-Cal or premium subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. Assembly member Tom Ammiano is calling on the city Department of Public Health to change that policy. San Francisco Chronicle.
Calif. Long-Term Care Facility Database Is Out-of-Date, Inadequate
A state website that provides consumers with information on long-term care facilities in California is out-of-date and lacks important information on violations committed by such facilities. In response, InsideBayArea.com has created its own database of information about fines incurred at such facilities. Contra Costa Times.
House GOP Seeking Investigations Into Oregon, Maryland Exchanges
House Republicans have sent letters to HHS’ Inspector General and the Government Accountability Office seeking information on how Oregon and Maryland have been using federal funding for their problem-plagued health insurance exchanges. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
California’s Flu-Related Death Toll Rises to 243
On Friday, state health department officials announced that as of Feb. 7, 243 individuals across the state have died after contracting influenza. An additional 41 deaths are being investigated for possible links to the flu. Sacramento Business Journal et al.
California GOP Lawmakers Take Aim at Covered California
California GOP lawmakers are criticizing Covered California over its spending and are calling for an audit of its finances. Meanwhile, Assembly Republicans are pushing for a legislative hearing on the exchange’s hiring of individuals convicted of crimes, such as forgery and welfare fraud, to help enroll residents in insurance plans. Sacramento Bee.
Moody’s: ACA Delays Will Hurt Insurers
On Thursday, Moody’s Investors Service said that the Obama administration’s decision to again delay the employer mandate could harm insurers in 2015. Specifically, Moody’s said that because “these employers are no longer required to meet [ACA requirements] for 2015, they may want to retain their existing policies for another year, forcing insurers to resurrect plans they had intended to discontinue.” The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Over Improper Busing of Nevada Psychiatric Patient
On Thursday, a federal judge rejected a lawsuit brought by a patient who was improperly bused to Sacramento from a Nevada psychiatric hospital. The judge ruled that “[t]here was no direct command from an individual bearing state coercive authority, nor threat of punishment if [the patient] did not travel to Sacramento.” Sacramento Bee.
Kaiser Successfully Increased Aneurysm Screenings Among Older Men With History of Smoking
Kaiser Permanente’s Southern California division cut the rate of men who had not been screened for abdominal aortic aneurysm from 52% in March 2012 to about 20% in June 2013. Providers at Kaiser specifically targeted men ages 65 to 75 currently smoked or had smoked in the past. Payers & Providers.
Covered California Takes SHOP Exchange Offline To Make Fixes
Covered California has taken the exchange’s Small Business Health Options Program offline to improve and make technical fixes to the online portal. Covered California Executive Director Peter Lee said that the updated portal will be launched in the fall. Sacramento Business Journal, Washington Post‘s “On Small Business.”