Latest California Healthline Stories
Paperwork Problems, Glitches Still Plaguing Covered California
Consumers trying to obtain health coverage through Covered California still are facing several problems, in part because of the influx of applications at the end of 2013. The problems range from website glitches and long wait times to a backlog of paper applications that have not been processed. Los Angeles Times.
Advisory Council Recommends Continuing Healthy S.F. Program
San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee has been advised by the Universal Healthcare Council to maintain the city’s Healthy San Francisco program, despite concerns from business groups that the program’s requirements could be costly and conflict with the Affordable Care Act. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area BizTalk.”
Report Finds Calif. Not Meeting Kids’ Health Care Needs
A report by Children Now finds that California is not adequately meeting the health, education and welfare needs of children in the state. In the report, the state scored highest in the category of health insurance coverage for children because of the increased availability of public insurance programs. Contra Costa Times et al.
Chief Justice Denies Request for Emergency Stay Against ACA
Yesterday, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts rejected a request from the Association of American Physicians & Surgeons and the Alliance for Natural Health USA for an emergency stay against the Affordable Care Act. The two groups argued that Congress improperly passed the legislation. AP/Sacramento Bee, AP/U-T San Diego.
New Flu Vaccine That Offers More Protection Now Available to California Residents
A limited number of doses of a new influenza vaccine that immunizes individuals against four different types of flu is available for the first time in the state, according to California health officials. A typical flu vaccine immunizes people against three different types of flu, according to an official. The new vaccine is available at 10 of the 46 flu shot clinics in Sacramento. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Editorial Argues Soda Tax Should Have Broader Scope
A San Jose Mercury News editorial argues that a proposal by state Sen. Bill Monning that would levy a penny-per-ounce tax on sugar-sweetened beverages is too narrow in its focus. The editorial states, “To really make a difference in the obesity trend, lawmakers need to look more broadly at its causes and the public cost of unhealthy diets,” noting that junk food is “every bit as bad for people” as soda. San Jose Mercury News.
California Family Planning Clinics Face Financial Challenges
Funding changes and the expansion of Medi-Cal under the Affordable Care Act are compounding financial challenges for California’s family planning clinics. Under the ACA, many patients who received services through the state’s Family Planning Access Care and Treatment Program are now eligible for Medi-Cal. However, Medi-Cal reimbursement rates are the third-lowest Medicaid payments in the country and are set to decline by another 10% next week. KQED’s “The California Report.”
Calif. Universities Increasingly Ban Smoking on Campus
Public universities across California are banning smoking on campuses in an effort to improve the health of students and employees. Many schools within the University of California and California State University systems already ban the practice, while others plan to implement policies this year that prohibit tobacco use. At UC, a smoking ban was announced in 2012, but the system has left implementation up to individual campuses. According to officials, about 8% of UC students smoke, compared with 16% nationally. AP/San Francisco Chronicle/Vallejo Times-Herald.
Bill Would Seek Weekly HealthCare.gov Updates From HHS
On Friday, House Republican leaders plan to bring up for consideration a bill that would require HHS to issue reports on website traffic and enrollment data for HealthCare.gov and ongoing efforts to repair the site. Specifically, the bill would seek a weekly state-by-state tally of the number of unique visitors to the website, data on the number of newly created accounts, the latest enrollment figures and the level of coverage selected. The Hill‘s “Floor Action.”
California Taking Steps To Decertify Three Developmental Centers
The state Department of Public Health has begun the process of revoking the certification of three centers for individuals with developmental disabilities in Fairview, Lanterman and Porterville after some patients were found in unsafe situations. If the facilities do not come into compliance, they could lose Medicaid funding. AP/Modern Healthcare et al.