Latest California Healthline Stories
Oregon’s Exchange Website Will Not Be Ready for Widespread Use on Oct. 1, Officials Say
Oregon’s state health insurance exchange will launch on Oct. 1 as planned, but state residents will not initially be able to enroll in coverage on their own. According to Covered Oregon officials, the state plans to limit access to the exchange website for two to four weeks to address complications and continue beta-testing the site. The officials said that state residents still will be able to shop for plans and enroll in coverage, but they will need to seek help from a trained agent to log on to the system. According to officials, residents also will need assistance to determine whether they qualify for federal subsidies. Reuters, Wall Street Journal.
McConnell Urges Feds To Delay Open Enrollment of ACA’s Exchanges
On Monday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell urged the Obama administration to delay the Oct. 1 launch date for open enrollment in the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges. He cited potential security issues with a data hub that will connect federal agencies with state-operated exchanges. Reuters et al.
Calif. Supreme Court Rules School Staffers Can Administer Rx Drugs
The California Supreme Court has ruled that trained, unlicensed public school workers can administer insulin injections and other medications to children. The Justices wrote that the state education code permits school employees to administer such medications. The American Nurses Association is considering appealing the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Los Angeles Times et al.
Report Recommends Raising Workers’ Compensation Premiums
A Workers Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau report recommends that insurers increase workers’ compensation premiums in California by 3.4% next year. The report counters expectations that a 2012 overhaul of the state’s workers’ compensation system would save millions of dollars and help employers pay less for such insurance. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Hernandez Holds Bill To Expand Optometrists’ Scope of Practice
State Sen. Ed Hernandez has pulled from consideration this year a bill that would expand optometrists’ scope of practice. Hernandez says that the bill’s supporters need more time to reach a compromise with those who oppose the measure. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Covered California Accepting Preregistration From Insurance Agents To Sell Coverage Through Exchange
Covered California is accepting online preregistration from licensed insurance agents interested in receiving training and certification to help enroll consumers in health plans offered through the health insurance exchange. Preregistration allows Covered California — which will only allow trained and certified licensed insurance agents to sell coverage in the ACA exchange — to prequalify agents for training and identify locations to meet the training needs of the agents. Sacramento Business Journal.
State Sens. Ted Lieu and Mark DeSaulnier are calling on Purdue Pharma to release the names of the California physicians included in its database of more than 1,800 doctors who exhibit signs of potentially problematic prescribing of OxyContin. Purdue has referred only 154 cases to authorities or medical regulators since it began collecting such data in 2002. Los Angeles Times.
Editorial: Parents, Federal Programs Helped Cut Obesity Rates Among Low-Income Preschoolers
A Ventura County Star editorial states that a recent CDC report finding that obesity rates among low-income preschoolers declined in at least 19 U.S. states — including California — and territories between 2008 and 2011 is “good news for kids.” The editorial credits parents and various federal initiatives for the decline, including first lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” anti-obesity campaign and the Woman, Infants and Children program. Ventura County Star.
Alameda Health System Prepares To Lay Off Workers
Alameda Health System is preparing to lay off dozens of health care workers by Sept. 26. Last week, workers began receiving notifications of layoffs following approval of the decision last month by the system’s board of directors. Jerri Applegate Randrup — spokesperson for the health system — said that some of the workers might be able to shift to other Alameda facilities or obtain part-time work within the organization. Contra Costa Times.
Labor Dept. Extends FMLA Benefits to Same-Sex Married Couples
On Friday, the U.S. Department of Labor issued regulatory guidance stating workers in same-sex marriages now can take leave from their jobs to care for their partners under the Family and Medical Leave Act. The Department of Defense is preparing a directive that could provide benefits to same-sex spouses of military members by the end of August. Wall Street Journal, Government Executive.