Latest California Healthline Stories
Two House Bills Target Congress Staffers’ Employer Contributions
On Monday, two House Republicans — Reps. Ron DeSantis and Shelley Moore Capito — announced legislation that would prevent members of Congress from keeping their employer contributions toward health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” Washington Post‘s “Federal Eye.”
Conference Aims To Help Young People Cope With Mental Illness
Representatives from 80 mental health groups recently attended a conference in Rancho Mirage to discuss methods for helping 16- to 25-year-olds with mental illnesses. Attendees said the Affordable Care Act could help increase access to mental health services for young adults. HealthyCal.
HHS Offers Tactics To Boost Proper Diabetes-Related Medicare Claims
A new HHS Office of Inspector General report suggests that CMS provide more education and information to suppliers of diabetes test strips and Medicare beneficiaries to reduce the number of inappropriate and questionable payments for such products. Modern Healthcare.
Lawsuit Says Anthem Violated Calif. Mental Health Parity Act
An Anthem Blue Cross policyholder has filed a class-action lawsuit alleging that the insurer has unlawfully denied coverage for recommended care to PPO members with eating disorders. The lawsuit seeks $4,000 for each PPO policyholder who since 2009 has sought full treatment for an eating disorder but was denied coverage by Anthem. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
CMS: 40% of Nevada Mental Health Patients Bused to Other States
A new CMS review of Rawson-Neal Psychiatric Hospital in Las Vegas finds that about 40% of patients were discharged and bused to California and other states without adequate plans for follow-up care or shelter. The agency says that Rawson-Neal’s actions violate the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act and that the facility could face fines. Sacramento Bee.
Calif. Legislature OKs Physician License Prioritization Bill
Last week, the California Legislature approved a bill — by Assembly member Manuel Perez — that would require the Medical Board of California to prioritize applications for physician licenses from individuals who agree to treat members of a medically underserved population. The bill was sent to Gov. Brown for consideration. Sacramento Business Journal
Calif. Man Sentenced to 18 Months for Medicare Scam
On Monday, Estill Mitts was sentenced to 18 months in prison for receiving more than $1 million in kickbacks from a Medicare scheme where he recruited homeless people on Skid Row for hospital procedures they did not need. Mitts also was ordered to pay nearly $10 million in restitution. However, prosecutors noted that the government is unlikely to receive that money. KPCC’s “The Latest,” AP/U-T San Diego.
San Jose Council Member Develops Anti-Obesity Proposal
San Jose City Council member Ash Kalra has developed a proposal that would bar sugary drinks and whole milk from city properties and events to help curb obesity rates. When describing the proposal, Kalra cited CDC statistics finding that nearly 27% of California residents are overweight. Kalra on Wednesday will ask the council’s agenda-setting committee to consider the idea. San Jose Mercury News.
Opinion Piece Promotes Covered Calif.’s Plan To Allow Consumers To Register To Vote
In a Sacramento Bee opinion piece, Daniel Zingale — senior vice president of The California Endowment — touts Covered California’s plan “to offer insurance seekers the option to register to vote,” arguing that more people who vote, “the more our policy decisions will reflect the values of the people.” He adds, “The people who actually experience Obamacare, who go to Covered California and get their insurance there, should have the last word on it at the ballot box.” Sacramento Bee.
Cantor Says GOP Efforts To Oppose ACA Will Continue After Recess
House Majority Eric Cantor has sent a memo to House Republicans stating that the GOP will continue “at full throttle” in their efforts to oppose the Obama administration’s agenda, including the Affordable Care Act, when Congress returns in September. Meanwhile, Republican leaders must address the party divide over whether to move forward with a plan to defund the ACA, observers say. Los Angeles Times’ “Politics Now,” et al.