Latest California Healthline Stories
CMS Releases Proposed Rule for ACA’s Basic Health Program
Last week, CMS released a proposed rule outlining requirements for the Affordable Care Act’s Basic Health Program, which is scheduled to be implemented in 2015. The proposed rule offers a framework to ensure states’ standard health plans under the program meet the law’s eligibility, enrollment and benefit requirements. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
Lawmakers Urge Craigslist CEO To Remove Illegal Rx Drug Ads
California Sen. Ted Lieu and Nevada Sen. Tick Segerblom are urging Craigslist to remove advertisements that illegally sell prescription medications, such as Xanax and Vicodin. Lieu said he will ask law enforcement to intervene if the website does not delete such ads. Los Angeles Times, Lieu release.
Calif. Jobs Increase in Aug., but Unemployment Climbs, Data Show
California added about 29,100 jobs in August, including 4,300 in the health and educational services sector. However, the state’s unemployment rate increased from 8.7% in July to 8.9% last month. Los Angeles Times, AP/U-T San Diego.
Last week, Bay Area Rapid Transit management and union leaders resumed contract negotiations on issues such as pensions and health care benefits. However, little progress was made, and employees could strike if a deal is not reached by Oct. 11, when a cooling-off period ordered by Gov. Jerry Brown expires. BART management and union leaders are scheduled to return to negotiations today. AP/KPCC.
Gov. Brown Signs Bill To Strengthen Fracking Rules
On Friday, Gov. Brown signed a bill that will tighten rules for a drilling process called hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. The bill — by Sen. Fran Pavley — will require state authorities to monitor and report on the public health and environmental effects of the drilling process. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert et al.
FDA Releases Final Rule Establishing UDI System for Tracking Medical Devices
On Friday, FDA issued a final rule establishing a unique device identification system for tracking medical devices. The first component of the UDI system created under FDA’s final rule is a unique identifier assigned by manufacturers to track devices’ lot or batch number, expiration date and manufacturing date. The second component is a public, searchable database administered by FDA — called the Global Unique Device Identification Database — that will serve as a reference catalog for all devices that have an identifier. FierceHealthIT et al.
Google Announces Launch of New Company To Tackle Aging, Related Diseases
On Wednesday, Google announced the launch of a new health technology company — called Calico — that will focus on aging and related diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Calico — which will operate as a separate entity from Google — potentially could use Google’s computing abilities to research such ailments. San Francisco Business Journal‘s “BiotechSF” et al.
U.S. Sen. Whitehouse Reintroduces Bill To Extend EHR Pay to Mental, Behavioral Health Care Providers
Last week, U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse reintroduced a bill that would make mental health care, behavioral health care and substance misuse treatment professionals and facilities eligible for incentive payments for the meaningful use of electronic health records. Whitehouse said the bill “will extend to mental and behavioral health professionals the same assistance given to other health providers, which will help them invest in vital health information technology.” Government Health IT.
House Approves Continuing Resolution That Would Defund ACA
On Friday, the House voted 230-189 to approve a continuing resolution that would fund the federal government through Dec. 15 and defund the Affordable Care Act. Earlier, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid warned that the Senate would change any bill defunding the ACA. Politico.
Pricing Glitches Affect ACA Exchanges Two Weeks Before Launch
The Obama administration is trying to address pricing glitches in the software that will be used for nearly three dozen federal health insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act. News of the glitches comes less than two weeks before the online marketplaces are scheduled to begin open enrollments. Wall Street Journal et al.