Latest California Healthline Stories
Calif. Whooping Cough Cases Increased in 2013, State Data Show
A report by the California Department of Public Health finds that the number of whooping cough cases in the state increased from 1,023 in 2012 to 1,904 last year, with 82% of cases in children younger than age 18. DPH attributed the increase in part to parents opting out of vaccinations for their children. AP/Orange County Register et al.
California Gets Low Marks for Emergency Health Care
A new report card released by the American College of Emergency Physicians gives California an overall grade of C- for its emergency care environment and an F grade for access to emergency care. The report cites hospital and workforce shortages as reasons for the low grades. Sacramento Business Journal et al.
Report: Changes in Charity Care Regulations Could Hinder Access
The California Hospital Association and other groups recently released a report finding that legislation requiring not-for-profit hospitals to justify their tax-exempt status by providing more details about the charitable care they provide would result in unintended consequences that could hinder access to care in the state. Sacramento Business Journal.
IRS Delaying ACA Provision on Equal Coverage by Employers
Last week, the Internal Revenue Service indicated that it will hold off enforcing an Affordable Care Act provision that bars employers from offering better health benefits to executives than to other workers. The agency still needs to issue final regulations and guidance on the provision for employers. New York Times, Reuters.
Bill To Require Calif. Lawmakers To Use State Insurance Exchange Fails To Pass Assembly Committee
On Friday, the Assembly Rules Committee rejected in a party-line vote a bill, introduced by Assembly member Brian Nestande, that would have required state lawmakers who wanted to receive health benefits through the Legislature to enroll in plans through Covered California. Seven Democrats voted against the plan, while four Republicans supported it. When Nestande introduced the measure in October 2013, he said it was aimed at making lawmakers more responsive to concerns about the state’s health insurance exchange. Los Angeles Times.
Five of the six insurers in Southern California that offer plans through Covered California have extended the deadline for consumers to pay their first month’s premium. Anthem Blue Cross, HealthNet and Molina Healthcare extended their deadline to Jan. 31. Meanwhile, L.A. Care Health Plan is giving consumers until Jan. 28, and Kaiser Permanente extended its deadline to Jan. 22. Blue Shield was the only insurer that did not offer such an extension.
California Beach Cities Reduce Obesity, Smoking Through Three-Year Public Health Initiative
Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach have partnered with local businesses, community groups and government organizations over the past three years on a “Blue Zone” initiative to improve public health. Since the program’s launch in 2010, researchers have found a 14% drop in obesity in the three beach cities, which saved an estimated $2.35 million in health care costs, as well as a 30% drop in smoking rates, which saved an estimated $6.9 million in health care costs. HealthyCal.
Report: Use of Antipsychotic Drugs in Calif. Nursing Homes Decreased by 18% Over Past Two Years
The use of antipsychotic drugs in California nursing homes decreased by 18% from 2011 to 2013, according to a report by the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Home. The decline exceeded a national goal set by federal health officials. The state now ranks 14th in the nation for reducing the use of such drugs in nursing homes. Sacramento Business Journal.
Federal Health Care Fraud Filings Hit Record High in 2013
Federal prosecutors filed more health care fraud cases during the last fiscal year than any previous year, according to federal statistics obtained by Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse. The data show that 377 health care fraud cases were filed during the fiscal year ending October 2013, which marked a 3% increase over the previous year and a 7.7% increase over the number of cases filed five years ago. AP/Sacramento Bee.
Bills Aim To Limit Antibiotic Use in Livestock To Protect Public Health
Two bills in California aim to limit the use of antibiotics in livestock in an effort to reduce the public health threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. One bill would require drugmakers to change labels for antibiotics used on livestock, while the other bill would ban the use of antibiotics to promote weight gain in livestock. Sacramento Bee.