Latest California Healthline Stories
State To Limit Use of Pepper Spray on Inmates With Mental Illnesses
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation says that it plans to change its policies to limit the use of pepper spray on prisoners with mental illnesses following the examination of videos depicting prison guards pepper-spraying and then subduing such inmates. Los Angeles Times et al.
Kaiser Opens Retail Stores To Help Residents Enroll in Covered Calif.
This month, Kaiser Permanente launched its ShopKP initiative, which uses retail space in shopping malls across Northern California to help residents sign up for health insurance through Covered California. The stores will be open year-round and include on-site certified enrollment navigators licensed by the state Department of Insurance. Payers & Providers.
Obama Administration To Alter Individual Mandate Penalty Cutoff
Yesterday, the Obama administration announced that it would adjust the individual mandate to give U.S. residents an extra six weeks to obtain coverage before being penalized under the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate. An administration official said the White House “will issue guidance soon” to ensure that individuals who enroll in coverage between Feb. 15 and March 31 will not have to pay a tax penalty. Washington Post et al.
Most Low-Income Calif. Residents Want More Health Information
A study by the Blue Shield of California Foundation finds that more than half of low-income California residents want more information to help them make health care decisions. The study recommends that providers and patients work together to adopt alternate care, communication and information strategies. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules” et al.
Poll: Most Parents Want Option To Email Child’s Physician
A majority of parents want the option to email their child’s physician regarding a minor illness, according to a new poll by the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. According to the poll, 48% of respondents said that email consultations should have no cost, while 50% said such consultations should cost less than an office visit. News Medical, FierceHealthIT.
Two-Thirds of Students Fail State Physical Fitness Test
Last school year, only about one-third of California students in the fifth, seventh and ninth grades passed all six sections of the state physical fitness test, according to a state Department of Education report. The test measures students’ aerobic capacity, abdominal strength, upper body strength, trunk strength, flexibility and body fat composition. Ventura County Star et al.
Calif. Department of Managed Health Care Fines Contra Costa County Health Plan $210K
The state Department of Managed Health Care has fined Contra Costa County Health Plan $210,000 for failing to meet tangible net equity requirements — the amount of assets on hand relative to the risk the plan takes on — nine times from 2002 through 2010. DMHC will waive $150,000 from the fine if the Medi-Cal managed care plan files timely financial reports for the next two years and maintains 130% of the minimum tangible equity, as well as $2 million for the next year. Payers & Providers.
Contractors Acknowledge Warning Signs Before Launch of Federal Exchange Website
Some of the contractors that helped build the federal health insurance exchange portal say they faced technological challenges and had serious concerns about meeting the Oct. 1 launch of the website. Meanwhile, some government officials and federal contractors acknowledged that a test of an integral part of the website — its capability to handle tens of thousands of visitors at the same time — failed just days before the launch of open enrollment. AP/Miami Herald, Washington Post.
Judge Says Case Against ACA Subsidies Can Proceed, Refuses To Grant Injunction
On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Paul Friedman ruled that a lawsuit challenging the legality of subsidies provided to U.S. residents through the federally run health insurance exchanges can move forward, but he refused to grant a temporary injunction halting the subsidies. The ACA states that subsidies will be provided to help residents purchase health policies offered “through an exchange established by the state.” However, a 2012 IRS rule challenged by the lawsuit allows the subsidies to be used in an exchange administered either by a state or the federal government. Reuters, Modern Healthcare.
Sebelius: Obama Unaware of ACA Website Glitches Before Launch
Yesterday, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius dismissed claims that President Obama was aware of the problems that have plagued the federally run insurance exchange website ahead of the site’s Oct. 1 launch. Meanwhile, Sebelius announced that former Office of Management and Budget acting Director Jeffrey Zients has been tapped to help fix the website. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.