Latest California Healthline Stories
GOP Shifts Attention From Glitches to Insurance ‘Cancellation’ Letters
Republicans have shifted the focus of their attacks on the Affordable Care Act from the rocky rollout of the health insurance exchanges to a media report finding that insurers are canceling certain health plans. The lawmakers argue that President Obama misled consumers by saying they could keep their health insurance, but the White House dismissed such claims. AP/U-T San Diego et al.
California Could Gain $70M for Inmate Health Care Under ACA
A study by the Pew Charitable Trusts finds that California could gain $70 million annually in federal funding for prison health care under the Affordable Care Act. California data were based on estimates from the state legislative analyst. The funding would come from Medi-Cal reimbursements for inmates receiving care outside of the prison system. AP/Sacramento Bee.
Report Finds Walgreens’ ‘Well Experience’ Pharmacy Model Can Lead to HIPAA Violations
Walgreens’ “Well Experience” pharmacy model can lead to violations of HIPAA rules and regulations, according to a Change to Win report. The model moves pharmacists to a work station in front of the counter. At the work stations, pharmacists can remotely view pharmacy technicians and assess prescription accuracy using pictures and video displayed on a computer screen. According to the report, HIPAA-protected information at the stations was left unattended and visible to the public at 80% of stores. Information Week.
State Sued Over Delayed Investigations of Nursing Home Complaints
Yesterday, an advocacy group for elderly individuals filed a lawsuit against the California Department of Public Health and two of the agency’s top officials for failing to promptly investigate complaints at nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities in the state. Sacramento Bee.
Audit: Courts Failed To Properly Report Mentally Ill Gun Owners
A report released Tuesday by the California Bureau of State Audits finds that dozens of state superior courts in recent years have failed to properly identify residents who should be prohibited from owning a firearm under California law because they have a mental illness. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert” et al.
On Tuesday, the Department of Social Services announced it will continue to review how 19 patients were abandoned for 48 hours at Valley Springs Manor after it was shut down. So far, the department has determined that proper patient relocation procedures were not followed. Contra Costa Times.
On Monday, patient care and service workers at 10 University of California campuses began voting on whether to approve a strike based on an allegation that UC engaged in unfair labor practices. Last month, the state Public Employment Relations Board — on behalf of thousands of UC hospital workers — filed a complaint alleging that UC administrators threatened workers in May when they participated in a two-day strike at medical facilities in six California cities to protest staffing and pension issues. The voting will continue through Wednesday and the results likely will not be announced until next week. Contra Costa Times.
Study: Marketing by Parks Might Increase Use by Residents
A small increase in marketing by public parks could increase use by area residents, providing a cost-effective way to potentially boost community health, according to a RAND study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Participants in the study promoted parks via improved marketing, such as signs, banners and t-shirts that encouraged residents to participate in park-sponsored activities. HealthyCal.
Outage Affecting Exchanges, Data Hub Resolved, According to HHS Officials
HHS has confirmed that a networking problem at a Verizon data center last weekend caused the federal and state health insurance exchange websites and the federal data hub to stop accepting applications. A spokesperson said the data hub was fully restored on Monday morning and the applications issue has been resolved. Washington Post‘s “Post Politics” et al.
Report: White House Knew Millions Would Lose Existing Policies
An NBC News report says the Obama administration knew that millions of U.S. residents with coverage in the individual market would lose their plans under the Affordable Care Act. The White House did not dispute the claim, but argued the report is misleading and not a new development. NBC News et al.