Latest California Healthline Stories
1M Sign GOP ACA Petition, Rubio Criticizes Obama’s ACA Promotion
On Tuesday, the Senate Conservatives Fund said that more than one million opponents of the Affordable Care Act have signed an online petition that urges Congress to refuse any federal funding that will go toward implementing the law. Meanwhile, Sen. Marco Rubio sent a letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius criticizing the Obama administration for using $8.7 million in federal funds to promote the ACA. Washington Times, The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
California Should Do More To Help State Veterans, Report Finds
A report by California’s Little Hoover Commission finds that the state Department of Veterans Affairs should make changes to better provide veterans in the state with certain services, including timely health care benefits and pension payments. The report offers the agency several recommendations. U-T San Diego, Sacramento Bee.
Prison Hunger Strike Prompts Hearings on Use of Solitary Confinement
This fall, California lawmakers plan to hold hearings on the use of solitary confinement and other prison issues in response to a weeks-long hunger strike by inmates. As of last Friday, 41 inmates had refused prison-issued meals since the strike officially began on July 8, while another 123 inmates had refused food for shorter periods of time. Los Angeles Times, Reuters.
Covered California Chooses Four Insurance General Agents for SHOP
Four insurance general agents have been selected by Covered California to provide product and sales training to brokers in the health insurance exchange’s Small Business Health Options Program. The agents will oversee proposals from brokers and recruit agents to promote SHOP enrollment, as well as other tasks. Sacramento Business Journal.
Last week, a U.S. bankruptcy judge ruled that the city of San Bernardino is eligible for bankruptcy. In the coming weeks, city officials will negotiate a payment plan with CalPERS and other creditors. Experts say that San Bernardino is expected to develop a plan that would reduce the amount of money paid to CalPERS, which would result in lower pension benefits for retirees and current employees. Sacramento Bee.
Kaiser Permanente To Pay $4.9M in Brain Damage Case
Late last month, Raymond Palmer — who allegedly suffered a permanent brain injury while at Kaiser Permanente San Diego Medical Center in May 2011 — won a $4.9 million arbitration award from Kaiser Permanente. According to a statement by Palmer’s lawyer, Palmer’s breathing tube at the medical center allegedly became dislodged, resulting in the patient having no pulse or blood pressure for approximately 13 minutes and suffering permanent brain damage. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area BizTalk.”
Calif. Senate Passes Bill That Would Prevent Policies That Block Life-Saving Help
On Tuesday, the California Senate unanimously approved a bill that would bar employers from having policies that prohibit workers from giving life-saving medical help in an emergency situation. The legislation — by Assembly member Rudy Salas — was developed following the death of a woman at a Bakersfield retirement home, where a worker refused to follow a 911 dispatcher’s advice to perform CPR because of company policy. The bill now moves to Gov. Brown for consideration. U-T San Diego.
Report: As Many as 133M Residents Will Be Obese by 2022
By 2022, as many as 133 million U.S. residents will be obese and 81 million more will be overweight, according to projections by GlobalData. The study — which examined obesity in eight developed countries — found that the U.S. had the most residents who will be obese or overweight, attributing the finding to sedentary lifestyles and high-calorie diets. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Some Labor Unions Worry About Health Plans Under ACA
Several labor unions have concerns about the not-for-profit multi-employer health plans known as “Taft-Hartley” plans, which cover as many as 20 million workers. Under the Affordable Care Act, such plans are not considered qualified health plans, making them ineligible for federal tax subsidies. The unions argue that without the subsidies, employers have a greater incentive to scale back worker hours, drop health coverage and force employees into insurance exchanges. The Hill, American Public Media’s “Marketplace.”
Census: Calif. Has 10th Highest Rate of Uninsured Individuals
A new U.S. Census Bureau report finds that California has the largest number of residents without health insurance in the U.S. and the 10th highest rate of uninsured individuals. More than six million Californians — or 20% of state residents under age 65 — lacked health insurance when the census data were collected. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert” et al.