Latest California Healthline Stories
GOP Members Urge HHS To Issue ACA Exchange Enrollment Numbers
Yesterday, House Republicans asked HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to release enrollment data for the Affordable Care Act’s federally run insurance exchanges. Meanwhile, several Republicans are using reports of exchange system flaws to renew their call for a one-year delay to the ACA’s individual mandate. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
L.A. City Attorney Investigating Possible Patient Dumping Cases in Skid Row Area
The Los Angeles City Attorney is investigating new accusations of patient dumping in the Skid Row area. The practice refers to hospitals discharging patients to somewhere other than their home without their consent. Frank Mateljan — spokesperson for the city attorney — said that officials were alerted to the issue by Skid Row service providers who have reported seeing homeless individuals wearing hospital gowns or hospital ID bracelets. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
New Law Limits Workers’ Compensation for Out-of-State Athletes
This week, Gov. Brown signed into law a bill that places more restrictions on which athletes can file for workers’ compensation in California. Several professional sports organizations, such as the National Football League, support the law, while several athletes’ unions oppose it. Sacramento Bee, Los Angeles Times.
Senate Hearing To Examine Oversight of Assisted Living Facilities
Later this year, the state Senate Human Services Committee will hold a hearing to discuss oversight of residential care facilities for the elderly, according to committee Chair Leland Yee. The hearing is in response to a recent investigation that found patient neglect and abuse at numerous assisted living facilities. U-T San Diego.
16K Completed Covered Calif. Applications During First Week
Covered California officials say that more than 16,000 households completed applications for coverage through the state health insurance exchange during its first week of open enrollment. Meanwhile, 430 small businesses completed applications for coverage, officials say. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert” et al.
Alameda County OKs $8.3M To Hire More Workers To Help Residents Navigate ACA Coverage Options
On Tuesday, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors approved $8.3 million in funding to hire 185 individuals to help enroll nearly 55,000 newly eligible low-income residents in health coverage through the Affordable Care Act. Most of the new hires will work as “eligibility technicians” for Alameda County Social Services, helping residents determine if they are eligible for no-cost health care, food stamps and welfare-to-work benefits. Contra Costa Times.
Yolo County To Receive $420K in Rite Aid Settlement
Rite Aid will pay Yolo County $420,000 as its share of a $12.3 million settlement between California local governments and the pharmacy. The suit — led by Los Angeles, San Joaquin and Riverside counties — claimed that more than 600 California Rite Aid locations unlawfully disposed of toxic wastes and materials during a six-and-a-half-year period. The suit was settled last month. Sacramento Bee.
Army Expanding Mental Health Program Despite Research Showing It Is Ineffective Against PTSD
The U.S. Army is expanding an initiative to help soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental illnesses, even though research suggests that the program is ineffective against PTSD. The program — which costs $50 million annually to serve 900,000 soldiers — is expected to cost $75 million annually by 2019 following the expansion. USA Today.
Audit: LAPD Officers Fall Short on First-Aid, CPR Training
None of the Los Angeles Police Department’s officers have had refresher training in first-aid or CPR delivery, even though they are up-to-date on weapons-handling and driving techniques, according to an audit report from the L.A. Police Commission’s Office of the Inspector General. The findings are based on surveys of 163 of the more than 3,700 LAPD officers. AP/U-T San Diego.
Software Failure, Structural Problems Caused ACA Website Issues
Federal officials say that the failure of a major software component and structural problems with the federal health insurance exchange website were the primary reasons for the delays and difficulties that many consumers faced when they visited the website last week. New York Times et al.