Latest California Healthline Stories
Obama Defends ACA, Vows Exchange Website Will Be ‘Fixed ASAP’
During a speech in Boston yesterday, President Obama defended the Affordable Care Act, accusing opponents of the law of “grossly misleading” the public. He also addressed the technical glitches that have plagued the federal health insurance exchange website, vowing to get it “fixed ASAP.” Washington Post et al.
Delay in Navigator Certification Hindering Exchange Sign-Ups
Covered California has certified less than 20% of the 4,213 enrollment counselors and 16,000 insurance agents who have applied to become navigators, which observers say is negatively affecting health insurance enrollment. Exchange officials say the delays are the result of making the approval process stricter. Los Angeles Times et al.
Sebelius Apologizes for ‘Flawed Launch’ of Federal Exchange Website
At a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing yesterday, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius apologized for the federal health insurance exchange website’s rocky launch. Sebelius vowed to fix the site, saying she expects it to be “optimally functioning” by the end of November. Washington Post et al.
Probe Begins Over Patients Left at Closed Long-Term Care Facility
Law enforcement officials have launched a criminal investigation of an assisted-living facility in Castro Valley that left 19 residents behind after it was closed last week. An attorney for the owners of the facility says the patients were cared for while transfers to other sites were arranged. San Jose Mercury News, AP/Sacramento Bee.
L.A. County Supervisors Put on Hold $75M Plan To Send Inmates To Detention Facility in Taft
On Tuesday, Los Angeles County supervisors voted to put on hold a $75 million plan to send inmates to a facility in Kern County to help reduce overcrowding in local jails. The board had previously approved the plan, but supervisors changed their minds after learning that the city of Taft — where the detention facility is located — has sued the state Department of Corrections for not providing reimbursements for unemployment benefits to former workers. AP/U-T San Diego.
California Department of Public Health Launches Electronic Data Submission Portal
On Oct. 1, the state Department of Public Health launched an electronic data gateway to let health care providers submit health data, such as information related to diseases and patient outcomes. About 220 hospitals, or about 65% of hospitals in California, have registered to submit information. Payers & Providers.
Inland Empire Health Plan Starts Doling Out Additional Payments to Primary Care Providers
Inland Empire Health Plan — the Medi-Cal managed care plan for San Bernardino and Riverside counties — has begun paying Medicaid primary care providers at Medicare rates, as called for by the Affordable Care Act. IEHP has paid out about $7 million in additional payments to 392 network physicians. However, IEHP has not yet received federal funding for the higher payments, which is being distributed through the state Department of Health Care Services. Payers & Providers.
House OKs Bill That Would Create a Committee Dedicated To Reducing VA Claims Backlog
On Monday, the House voted 404-1 in support of a bill that would establish a commission to examine and offer recommendations to alleviate the Department of Veterans Affairs’ disability claims backlog. As of last week, VA said it had more than 411,000 pending claims for pensions and disability claims. The bill requires the commission to seek advice from veterans services organizations, Internet technology companies and the health insurance industry on how to reduce the backlog. The Hill‘s “Floor Action,” Next Gov.
IRS Rules Under ACA Could Constrain Enforcement of the Individual Mandate
The Internal Revenue Service cannot use many of the tactics it typically relies on to collect money from U.S. residents to enforce the individual mandate, which could severely constrain the agency’s ability to police the Affordable Care Act. When people do not pay their taxes, IRS can file public liens, seize assets or criminally charge those individuals. However, Congress prohibited the agency from using such tactics to collect the individual mandate’s penalty. As a result, observers say that some U.S. residents will not comply with the mandate. Des Moines Register.
Documents Show Federal Exchange Had Issues Prior to Launch
Yesterday, a House committee released documents from a federal contractor showing that it warned CMS about problems with the federal health insurance exchange website before its launch. CMS officials say that the documents are actually lists of “things to do,” rather than warnings. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.