Latest California Healthline Stories
HHS Report Finds Affordable ACA Coverage Options for Young Adults
An HHS report finds that about half of young adults will be able to access coverage through the health insurance exchanges for $50 or less per month, while two-thirds of young adults will have access to coverage for less than $100 per month. President Obama touted the report and said young adults should purchase coverage even if do not think they need it. Washington Times et al.
Workers’ Comp Rating Bureau Recommends 8.7% Rate Increase
The California Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau has recommended increasing workers’ compensation premiums by 8.7%, in part to cover predicted increases in physician fees under a state law that adjusts how doctors are paid via the state workers’ compensation system. Sacramento Business Journal.
Covered Calif. Defends Decision To Delay Release of Enrollment Data
Yesterday, Peter Lee, executive director of Covered California, defended the exchange’s decision to delay the release of enrollment data until next month, saying the public should have “reasonable expectations” about receiving such information. However, he said that the data will be among the most detailed in the country. San Jose Mercury News.
Prison Hospital Cuts Admissions, Closes Unit Amid Staffing Shortage
Atascadero State Hospital in San Luis Obispo County has reduced admissions and closed one of its units for prisoners deemed unfit to stand trial because of staffing shortages. The number of psychiatrists on staff has decreased by 33% since September 2012. San Luis Obispo Tribune.
Humetrix Testing iBlueButton Apps on San Diego Health Information Exchange
Humetrix has launched a pilot to test health record exchange between San Diego Regional Health Information Exchange health care providers and patients using personal health records and its mobile iBlueButton applications. Blue Button is a federal government program designed to boost patients’ access to their health records. MedCity News.
San Francisco Supervisor To Introduce Soda Tax Proposal
During a San Francisco Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, city supervisor Scott Weiner will introduce a measure to implement a 2 cents-per-ounce tax on sugary drinks. The proposal is estimated to generate $31 million in revenue, which would be used to fund city recreation and nutrition programs. If approved by the board, the measure would appear on the November 2014 ballot. KQED’s “State of Health” et al.
Study: 95M U.S. Adults Using Mobile Health Technology
Ninety-five million U.S. adults currently use mobile health technologies, a 27% increase from the 75 million adults using such technology in 2012, according to a Manhattan Research Cybercitizen Health study released last week. In addition, the study found that mobile health information technology adoption, activities and attitudes largely vary by patient. According to the study, those most likely to use mobile health services include individuals with ADHD, Hepatitis C and other illnesses. Healthcare IT News.
Starting Nov. 1, the Affordable Care Act’s federal health insurance exchange will start transferring Medicaid applications to state agencies, but some officials warn the transfer system has not been adequately tested. Under the original plan, HealthCare.gov was expected to send the applications beginning Oct. 1 — as part of the Medicaid expansion and open enrollment process — but that date was pushed back because of technical difficulties on the website. Politico.
This month, 3.5% more state and local government workers participating in CalPERS have applied for retirement than one year ago, according to new data. The data also show that 8,717 state workers have taken their pensions this year, a 1.3% decrease from one year ago. Sacramento Bee.
California Sends Inmates to Three Private State Prisons
California is sending 2,100 inmates to three private state prisons to help reduce overcrowding, according to prison officials. James Black of the GEO Group — which operates the private facilities — said that the state is paying GEO $60 per inmate per day. According to Black, the transfer initiative will be completed by the beginning of December. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”