Latest California Healthline Stories
Jones Urges Covered California To Lift Health Plan Cancellation Order
Following an announcement by President Obama, California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones has called on Covered California to “immediately” lift a requirement that insurers cancel 2014 health plans that do not meet the Affordable Care Act’s minimum coverage requirements. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert” et al.
State Shuts Down 10 Websites That Imitated CoveredCa.com
Yesterday, California Attorney General Kamala Harris announced that 10 private websites have been shut down by the state for posing as the state health insurance exchange. According to Harris, the sites sought to “lure consumers away from plans” offered through Covered California. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert” et al.
A group of labor, business and medical groups oppose a June ballot measure that would create a Los Angeles public health department separate from county agencies. The newly formed L.A. Coalition to Protect Public Health and Safety includes the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Service Employees International Union Local 721, the Hospital Association of Southern California and the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County. The coalition said the measure could cost the city up to $333 million and interrupt health care services for some residents. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
Editorial: Obama’s Fix for Plan Cancellations Is ‘Desperate’
A Los Angeles Times editorial argues that President Obama’s plan that would allow insurers in 2014 to keep selling insurance policies even if they do not meet minimum coverage requirements under the Affordable Care Act is “a desperate attempt to fulfill a promise [Obama] never should have made, and the legal authority for it is sketchy.” The editorial continues that “it may not be possible at this point for insurers to revive policies they’ve already canceled.” It adds, “Worst of all, Obama merely punted to next year the fight of the law’s insurance reforms.” Los Angeles Times.
Report Finds EHR Adoption Increasing While Other IT Initiatives Lag in California
California health care providers increasingly are using electronic health record systems, but they still lag behind on some health information technology initiatives when compared with other states, according to a new report by the California HealthCare Foundation. The report found that the percentage of California physicians who use EHRs increased from 37% in 2008 to 59% in 2013. However, it also found that while 58% of California providers in 2012 said they planned to participate in the federal meaningful use program that provides incentive payments to certain EHR users, only 30% of California providers with EHR systems had one that met all of the program’s 12 objectives. FierceEMR.
Although the Affordable Care Act specifies that pediatric dental coverage is an essential health benefit, some children’s health advocates still are concerned that children will not receive necessary care. Children’s advocates noted that states offering stand-alone policies do not have to require consumers to purchase the stand-alone plans. Further, advocates noted that stand-alone plans will not be eligible for the subsidies intended to help U.S. residents purchase coverage through the exchanges. In addition, stand-alone dental plans are not subject to the same consumer protections and appeals procedures required for medical insurance plans, meaning they will not be subject to an external review of their claims denials. Statelines/Kaiser Health News.
Survey: Some Businesses Already Cutting Workers’ Hours To Avoid ACA Employer Mandate
Although the Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate has been delayed, nearly one-third of franchise businesses and 12% of non-franchise businesses already are reducing workers’ hours in an effort to avoid the mandate, according to a survey by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the International Franchise Association. The survey also found that about 29% of franchise owners and 41% of non-franchise owners have seen increases in their health care costs since the ACA was enacted. The Hill‘s “RegWatch,” Washington Times.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of November 15, 2013
The West Contra Costa Healthcare District Board of Directors has unanimously declared a fiscal emergency at Doctors Medical Center. The San Francisco Sheriff’s Department has reassigned several employees following an investigation of a missing patient at San Francisco General Hospital who later was found dead.
Obama’s Plan Would Allow Policies That Do Not Satisfy ACA in 2014
President Obama has announced a plan to allow insurers in 2014 to keep selling policies that do not meet the Affordable Care Act’s minimum coverage requirements following complaints that he is going back on his promise that individuals can keep their insurance if they are satisfied with it. The plan also would require some insurers to inform consumers that more comprehensive coverage might be available in the health insurance exchanges. Wall Street Journal et al.
106K Selected a Health Plan Through Federal Health Exchanges
The Obama administration has released data that show slightly more than 106,000 U.S. residents selected health plans through the health insurance exchanges from Oct. 1 to Nov. 2; only 26,794 of those individuals obtained coverage through HealthCare.gov. Affordable Care Act opponents used the numbers as evidence that the law is failing, while White House officials continued to express confidence that enrollment will pick up. Sacramento Bee et al.