Latest California Healthline Stories
House Holds Heated Hearing on Federal Exchange Website
During a House hearing yesterday, lawmakers questioned federal contractors about problems with the federal insurance exchange website. Republicans and Democrats took starkly different positions on the glitches’ overall implications, with some seeking solutions and others using the errors as reason to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Wall Street Journal et al.
Covered California Decides To Allow Quality Ratings Next Year
The state health insurance exchange board has voted to release quality ratings for health plans offered through Covered California during open enrollment next year. The move follows a letter sent to the board earlier this week by Kaiser Permanente, Sharp Health Plan and Western Advantage saying there is no compelling reason to deny quality rating information to consumers. Sacramento Bee.
Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Over Mental Health Care
A class action lawsuit was filed Oct. 3 against Kaiser Foundation Health Plan alleging that the health insurer failed to adequately treat patients with mental illnesses. Earlier this year, the Department of Managed Health Care fined Kaiser $4 million for “serious deficiencies” in its mental health care. However, Deniene Erickson, regional media relations specialist for Kaiser, dismissed the lawsuit as a strategic move by the National United Health Care Workers as part of a labor dispute. Oakland Tribune/Contra Costa Times.
Calif. Fines Nine Hospitals for Not Complying With Licensing Rules
California Department of Public Health officials have levied administrative fines against nine state hospitals for failing to comply with licensing requirements. Hospitals were fined for several violations that could have caused patient injury or death, such as not obeying surgical and medication policies and procedures. KPCC’s “KPCC News,” DPH release.
Brown Asks Supreme Court To Allow California To Move Prisoners to Private, Out-of-State Prisons
On Thursday, Gov. Brown announced that he is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a federal court order blocking the state from leasing more beds at private, out-of-state prisons to help ease prison overcrowding. The state recently approved legislation to expand private prison contracts, but federal judges blocked the state from doing so while the Brown administration negotiates with inmates’ lawyers on long-term solutions. Los Angeles Times.
Several States See Higher Eligibility, Enrollment in Medicaid Than in Private Insurance Plans
Several states — particularly those that are running their own health insurance exchanges — are seeing higher eligibility and enrollment rates in Medicaid than in private health plans. Many exchange applicants are low-income, Medicaid-eligible individuals who are not required to pay anything up front. Those who enroll in private plans through the exchanges must pay up front or by a Dec. 15 deadline for coverage to take effect on Jan. 1. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules.”
Gallup Poll: Approval of ACA Has Increased Since August
A new Gallup poll released Wednesday found that 45% of respondents approve of the Affordable Care Act, an increase from about 41% of respondents who answered a similar poll in August. The new poll also found that disapproval of ACA increased by about one percentage point, to 50%. According to the poll, 51% of young adults and 38% of seniors support the ACA. Reuters et al.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of October 25, 2013
Officials at AHMC Healthcare have reported the theft of two laptops containing the personal health information of 729,000 patients. Officials investigating the death of a woman who was found in a stairwell at San Francisco General Hospital are looking into reports that an orderly notified a hospital nurse of an unconscious woman there one week before her body was found.
Most Physicians Still Using Traditional Forms of Communication, Survey Says
A majority of health care providers are using traditional forms of communication to talk with patients, despite efforts to boost health IT adoption in the U.S., according to a new survey adoption. The survey found that 91% of physicians reported using a telephone to communicate with patients, while 74% reported using letters. Meanwhile, 5% of doctors reported using patient portals to communicate with patients, 8% reported using smartphone applications and 7% reported using remote monitoring devices. Healthcare IT News.
White House Ramps Up ACA Defense, Hosts Meeting With Insurers
The Obama administration is dispatching cabinet members and other White House officials to host Affordable Care Act outreach events in 10 cities with the highest uninsured rates. Meanwhile, White House officials met with the leaders of 14 major health insurers to discuss resolutions to problems plaguing the federal exchange website. The Hill‘s “Blog Briefing Room” et al.