Latest California Healthline Stories
Joint Commission Names 93 Calif. Hospitals as ‘Top Performers’
A nationwide Joint Commission report released last week names more than 90 California hospitals as “Top Performers” in certain evidence-based care processes. The commission says that hospitals still can make improvements in certain areas and that it plans to increase reporting requirements. Sacramento Business Journal et al.
Insurers: Early Pool of ACA Exchange Applicants Older Than Expected
Health insurers are reporting that the initial pool of successful applicants in the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchange websites is older than expected, with the majority of enrollees over age 50. The Obama administration has said that it expects the majority of young, healthy enrollees to wait until the last minute to enroll in coverage. Wall Street Journal, National Journal.
California Lowers Premature Birth Rate to National Goal of 9.6%
A recent March of Dimes report finds that California’s premature birth rate fell from 9.8% to 9.6% in 2012, meeting a national goal. According to the report, the state also made progress on two indicators of healthy births by reducing the rates of uninsured women and late pre-term births. HealthyCal, March of Dimes report.
Calif. Officials Require Blue Shield To Delay Policy Cancellations
The California Department of Insurance is requiring Blue Shield of California to delay for three months the cancellation of more than 115,000 health plans that do not meet the Affordable Care Act’s requirements, according to the insurer. Blue Shield officials say the delay carries “significant risk” for policyholders. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area BizTalk.”
The Pacific Legal Foundation in California — which is supporting a lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act and its individual — has filed an appeal after the lawsuit was dismissed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The lawsuit, which was filed by a private individual, argues that passage of the health reform bill violates the U.S. Constitution’s Origination Clause because it was passed first by the Senate rather than the House. Under the clause, tax-related bills must originate and first pass in the House. Washington Times.
Two California Residents Sue Anthem Blue Cross Over Health Policy Cancellations
On Monday, two California residents filed separate lawsuits against Anthem Blue Cross, alleging that the insurer misled them into giving up their health policies that were grandfathered under the Affordable Care Act. Nearly 900,000 California residents have received cancellation letters notifying them that their current policies do not meet the minimum coverage requirements under the ACA. The two California residents are requesting that the courts block any policy cancellations unless Anthem members are allowed to return to their previous grandfathered health plans. Los Angeles Times.
BART Employees Approve Labor Agreement
On Friday, Bay Area Rapid Transit employees approved the labor agreement that ended a four-day strike over work rules on overtime, scheduling and other issues. The contract gives BART employees a 15.4% pay increase over four years. The agreement is expected to be approved by BART’s board of directors. San Francisco Business Times.
$100M Donation Made to UC-San Diego To Boost Human Stem Cell Research
Philanthropist Denny Sanford is donating $100 million to UC-San Diego to boost research into human stem cells as treatments for diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. The donation will go toward a $275 million effort by UC-San Diego to create some of the first clinical trials based on human stem cells. U-T San Diego.
Analyses: Millions Could Have Health Insurance at No Cost Through ACA’s Health Exchanges
As many as seven million U.S. residents could have access to no-cost health policies through the Affordable Care Act’s state and federal health insurance exchanges, according to several analyses. A report by McKinsey’s Center for U.S. Health System Reform and evaluations by three Wall Street analysts found that federal subsidies would cover more than the estimated cost of the lowest-priced bronze plans available through the exchanges. New York Times.
Consumers Experiencing Sticker Shock Over Canceled Plans
Many of the consumers whose health plans have been canceled because they do not meet minimum coverage standards under the Affordable Care Act will be required to buy coverage that likely will be more costly. Such individuals tend to be politically vocal and active, which could pose a problem for ACA supporters. Washington Post et al.