Latest California Healthline Stories
Small Business, Spanish Language ACA Insurance Enrollment Delayed
On Thursday, the Obama administration announced two new delays in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Small business and Spanish-language online enrollment services in the federally run exchanges will not begin on Oct. 1 as planned. Reuters et al.
Sacramento County OKs Changes to Program for Medically Indigent
Sacramento County officials have approved a policy change to remove residents from the County Medically Indigent Services Program if they are eligible for coverage through Medi-Cal or Covered California, regardless of whether they enroll in such programs. The plan — which will be implemented next year — includes a one-year grace period. Sacramento Bee.
Covered California’s Online Enrollment Services Will Be Ready Oct. 1, Official Says
During a webcast on Thursday, a Covered California official said that online enrollment services are ready to launch Oct. 1. Peter Lee — executive director for the exchange — said that the website might add more features at a later date but that he expects the marketplace to be fully functional for the start of open enrollment next week. Sacramento Business Journal.
Gov. Brown Signs Bill on Domestic Worker Overtime Pay
On Thursday, Gov. Brown signed legislation that will require overtime pay for domestic workers in California — such as nannies and private health aides — who work more than nine hours in a day or 45 hours in a week. The new law will take effect in January 2014 and sunset in January 2017 unless renewed by the Legislature. Los Angeles Times, AP/U-T San Diego.
On Thursday, Sierra Health Foundation announced it will allocate $3 million to address emergency department overcrowding in the Sacramento region. The organization will award $1.5 million to five regional community clinic networks to expand their patient capacity. Another $1.5 million will be given to support public education, community engagement and a continuing public policy partnership involving four regional hospital systems. Sacramento Bee.
Report: IRS Falls Short Accounting for ACA Spending
The Internal Revenue Service failed to account for a substantial portion of $67 million in labor and other indirect costs associated with the Affordable Care Act in fiscal year 2010 through FY 2012, according to a new report by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. During that period, IRS spent about $488 million to implement the ACA. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” Reuters.
New Legislation Would Boost FDA Oversight of Compounding Pharmacies, Track Rx Drugs
On Wednesday, a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the House and Senate announced an agreement on legislation that would give FDA greater authority to regulate compounding pharmacies and implement an electronic system to track pharmaceuticals though the distribution chain. The new bill — called the Drug Quality and Security Act — would allow FDA to track drugs that compounding pharmacies are making, receive reports about problems with the compounded drugs and have authority to conduct safety inspections, among other regulatory powers. Reuters, AP/Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Poll: Most Residents Support ACA, but Few Think It Will Help Them
A Public Policy Institute of California poll finds that 53% of California residents support the Affordable Care Act, while only about 25% expect the law to improve their lives. Meanwhile, 50% of likely voters support a plan by Gov. Brown and Democrats to reduce the prison population. KPCC’s “Represent!,” AP/Sacramento Bee.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of September 27, 2013
John Muir Health has asked an additional 212 staffers to accept voluntary severance packages as the health care system tries to cut $52 million in labor-related costs through 2014. The Daughters of Charity Health System has announced that it will remain independent from the St. Louis-based Ascension Health Alliance despite long-running merger discussions.
More Large Companies Opt To Drop ‘Bare-Bones’ Health Plans
Large employers increasingly are choosing to stop offering low-cost, “bare-bones” health plans — which typically provide basic coverage — rather than upgrading the plans to comply with the Affordable Care Act’s requirements. An estimated four million workers are enrolled in such plans. Wall Street Journal.