Latest California Healthline Stories
State Exchange Official: Provider Directory Released Prematurely
Covered California’s executive director has acknowledged that exchange officials prematurely released a directory of providers affiliated with insurance plans last week. The directory was pulled offline one day after its release because of inaccuracies and slow performance. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert,” Los Angeles Times.
In the third week of a federal government shutdown, national research laboratories in the Bay Area are either preparing for closure by furloughing employees or hoping existing funds last through the end of the shutdown. If the shutdown continues through Wednesday, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory will send home 5,500 employees. Contra Costa Times.
Too Early To Determine Effects of Calif. Workers’ Compensation Overhaul, Study Finds
A study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute in Massachusetts has found that it is too early to determine the effects of a year-old law — which Gov. Brown signed in September 2012 — that overhauled California’s workers’ compensation system. Specifically, it is unclear whether the law’s cost-saving provisions will offset higher cash payments to workers, according to researchers. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Hospitals tend to gain more financially from privately insured patients who seek outpatient care at emergency departments — no matter how sick they are — than they do from seriously ill Medicaid or Medicare beneficiaries, according to a study published in the Annals of Emergency Medicine. According to study authors, the findings could suggest reduced profits for health systems that choose to move more outpatient services to off-site clinics. Reuters.
Exchanges: Mistakes Made Prior to Launch, Sebelius Asked To Resign
A New York Times investigation shows the Obama administration made a series of missteps that resulted in the technical glitches that have hindered consumer enrollment. In related news, some Republicans are calling for HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to resign or be fired over the mishandling of the health insurance exchanges. New York Times et al.
Some Covered Calif. Navigators Still Not Certified To Help Residents
Two weeks after the launch of Covered California, some individuals tasked with educating residents about the insurance exchange still have not completed all certification requirements, such as undergoing background checks. Exchange officials say that they never expected to certify all navigators this early in the enrollment process. NPR’s “Shots.”
Brown Vetoes, Signs Several Health Care-Related Measures
Gov. Brown recently took action on several health-related bills, including vetoing a bill that would have allowed pharmacists to dispense less-expensive biosimilars if FDA deemed them “interchangeable” with prescribed biologic medication. Sunday was the deadline for signing or vetoing bills from the recent legislative session. AP/U-T San Diego et al.
L.A. Official: 42 Unregistered Medical Pot Dispensaries Have Voluntarily Closed Since July
On Friday, Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer said that 42 unregistered medical marijuana dispensaries have voluntarily shut down since the July implementation of a voter-approved ballot measure allowing dispensaries to operate only if they registered with the city in both 2007 and 2011 and are subject to certain tax regulations. An additional 38 unregistered dispensaries are being prosecuted and will close soon, according to Feuer. KPCC’s “Represent!” et al.
Opinion: Calif. Treasure Says Mental Health Act Will Benefit Communities, Hospitals and Prisons
In a Contra Costa Times opinion piece, California Treasurer Bill Lockyer writes, “The Investment in Mental Health Wellness Act — sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg and enacted this year by the Legislature and governor — reflects a commitment” to the principle that health care providers should “treat the mind with no less care than the body.” He continues that the act “funds a wide range of community-based mental health care for Californians in crisis.” Lockyer adds, “Making that investment will benefit patients and families, reduce unnecessary visits to hospital emergency rooms, make our communities safer and help ease the strain on overcrowded jails and prisons.” Contra Costa Times.
GOP Questions HHS, Contractors About ACA Exchange Launch
Republican lawmakers have sent a series of letters to HHS and some of the federal contractors that worked on the federal health insurance exchange website seeking answers about the numerous glitches and delays that have plagued the portal since Oct. 1. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” et al.