Latest California Healthline Stories
HHS Extends Exchange Deadline for Jan. 1 Coverage by Eight Days
In response to technical difficulties that have hindered enrollment, the Obama administration has announced an eight-day extension to the health insurance exchanges’ open enrollment period for coverage that would begin Jan. 1, 2014. Meanwhile, a White House official has confirmed that HHS will delay by one month the start of open enrollment in the exchanges for coverage that would begin in 2015. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
Isolation Could Worsen Prisoners’ Mental Illnesses, Expert Testifies
During a court hearing last week, an expert from UC-Santa Cruz testified that holding prisoners in isolation units could worsen their mental health conditions. The expert called for the judge to issue an order excluding mentally ill inmates from solitary confinement. Sacramento Bee.
Leaders of Suspended Medi-Cal Clinics Were Involved in Other Crimes
An investigation finds that the operators of several California rehabilitation clinics that have been suspended from the Drug Medi-Cal program also were convicted of or charged in unrelated crimes, such as participating in a Medicare fraud scheme or engaging in prescription drug trafficking. Center for Investigative Reporting.
Aetna, Cigna Could Offer Less Costly Alternatives for Residents
Health coverage offered by Aetna and Cigna — which both opted out of Covered California — could be a less costly option for state residents whose policies have been canceled because of non-compliance with the Affordable Care Act’s minimum benefits. The insurers can sell individual plans outside of the exchange until Dec. 31. KQED’s “State of Health.”
Calif. Adopts New Rules To Limit Toxic Flame Retardants
Last week, Gov. Brown announced new safety standards for furniture and other household products that limit the use of certain toxic flame retardant chemicals. CDC has found that such chemicals — known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs — can affect brain development. Manufacturers must comply with the new standards by Jan. 1, 2015. AP/Sacramento Bee, Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal.”
EPA Administrator Disappointed by Lack of Progress on Clean Water in San Joaquin Valley
Last week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy said she was disappointed by the slow progress in bringing clean drinking water to small towns in San Joaquin Valley. Last spring, the federal government threatened to halt funding for clean drinking water because state officials failed to spend $455 million in federal funds. During her three-day visit to California, McCarthy also discussed the Obama administration’s plan to address climate change by regulating carbon dioxide emissions from new power plants and a soon-to-be-released rule that will give EPA authority over U.S. water bodies under the Clean Water Act. Los Angeles Times.
Opinion Piece Says Despite Balanced Budget, State Must Address Rising Medi-Cal Spending
David Crane — president of Govern for California and lecturer at Stanford University — in an opinion piece writes that although “California’s recent announcement that it had balanced its budget for the first time since the 2007-08 fiscal year received broad coverage,” not much has been said about increasing health care costs in the state. Crane notes that Medi-Cal saw the largest spending growth in recent years, accounting for “most of the [state] Department of Health care Services’ outlays, which grew [by] 65% over the six-year period.” Crane concludes, “To protect its public services and residents, California’s leaders will sooner rather than later have to face down the elephant in the budget, Medi-Cal.” Bloomberg.
More than seven out of 10 U.S. residents who purchased health coverage through the individual insurance market will qualify for federal tax subsidies or Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, according to a Families USA analysis. Families USA used the data to emphasize that U.S. residents who might have their plans canceled because they do not meet minimum coverage standards under the ACA will have other coverage options. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Insurance Offerings Vary Significantly by State, Study Finds
A USA Today analysis of states using the federal health insurance exchange finds that premiums for the most popular health plans, on average, are at least two times higher in states with the most expensive prices than premiums in states with the lowest average prices for coverage. The analysis of data from 34 states found that the average monthly premium of PPOs — the most popular type of health care plan — was $819 in the most expensive state, compared with $437 in the least expensive state. USA Today.
Sample Letters Discussing Health Plan Cancellation Fix Revealed
The Obama administration has released sample letters that insurers will be required to send to individuals who want to renew health policies in 2014 that do not meet the Affordable Care Act’s minimum coverage standards. The letters warn recipients that such policies will not “provide all the rights and protections of the health care law,” among other things. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.