Latest California Healthline Stories
OPM Clarifies ACA Exchange Rules for Federal Lawmakers, Staffers
On Wednesday, the Office of Personnel Management issued a proposed rule that would allow congressional lawmakers and their staff members to keep their employer contribution toward health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act. AP/Sacramento Bee et al.
The Palo Alto Medical Foundation has been awarded $212,000 — through the California Breast Cancer Research Program Community Research Collaboration grant — to research breast cancer screening and treatment within the Santa Cruz Latino community. Researchers will interview low-income Latina patients, their family members and their providers to assess screening and treatment experiences. Santa Cruz Sentinel.
BART Contract Dispute Heats Up; Proposals $100M Apart
During a state panel commissioned by Gov. Brown on Wednesday, members of Bay Area Rapid Transit management testified that its proposal for employee pay and benefits — which includes health care and pension contributions — would cost the agency $99.3 million less over four years than the union’s current offer. Union leaders rejected that calculation, offering figures that put the two sides $56 million apart over three years. Both sides will continue negotiations Thursday and Friday. Contra Costa Times.
Homeless LGBTQ Youth Face Greater Health Risks in Monterey County
A survey finds that homeless teenagers and young adults in Monterey County who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or who question their sexuality have an increased risk of mental health problems, sexual exploitation and suicide. LGBTQ teens and young adults make up 20% of the homeless population in the county. HealthyCal.
1,000 Inmates May Be Released as Calif. Works To Comply With Order
About 1,000 California prisoners could be granted early release if the state is unable to relocate them to satisfy a federal court-ordered prison population reduction. Inmates who could be released early include those with serious medical issues, elderly prisoners and low-level offenders. Los Angeles Times.
Covered California Announces 12 Insurers in Individual Marketplace
Twelve insurers have signed contracts to offer individual health plans through California’s insurance exchange beginning in October. However, Ventura County Health Care Plan — which originally was slated to offer individual coverage through the exchange — unexpectedly chose not to participate in the marketplace next year. AP/Sacramento Bee et al.
California Eye Care Group Reports Possible Data Breach
Retinal Consultants Medical Group — a Sacramento-based company that manages eye care and eye surgery facilities in Northern California — said that some patient data might have been compromised following the theft in June of a computer that linked to a diagnostic imaging machine. Retinal Consultants officials said that the computer might have contained information such as names, dates of birth, gender, race and optical images. The company said that it is unaware of any misuse of the data but still is urging patients to closely monitor their bank accounts and obtain a credit report. Sacramento Bee.
Study Finds Hospital Data Exchange Increased by 41% Over Four-Year Period
Health data exchanges between hospitals and other health care providers increased by 41% from 2008 to 2012, according to a study published in the journal Health Affairs. The study also found that 58% of hospitals routinely exchanged electronic health information with providers and health systems outside of their organization in 2012 and that 84% of hospitals that adopted a basic electronic health record system and participated in a regional health information exchange shared data with providers outside of their organization during the study period. FierceEMR.
Kaiser Permanente CEO Says Company Making Strides in Reducing Costs, Improving Quality
In a Sacramento Bee opinion piece, Bernard Tyson — CEO of Kaiser Permanente — writes that Kaiser recently “has been in the spotlight” for rising costs, which have “disappointed” policyholders. According to Tyson, Kaiser is working to reduce care costs while improving quality through several efforts, including “[w]orking as a truly coordinate health care team, connected by our electronic health records, to provide the best comprehensive care in the most efficient way” and continuing Kaiser’s “long commitment to preventive care to keep people as healthy as possible.” Sacramento Bee.
Ventura County Nurses Issue No Confidence Vote in Management, Citing Staffing, Pay Issues
At a Ventura County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, the nurses union at Ventura County’s public hospitals issued a vote of no confidence in management. Nurses — who are in contract negotiations with county management — discussed insufficient staffing, low pay and indifferent management during the meeting. Tina Greiger — a nurses union representative — said that a vote taken last week of nurses at Ventura County Medical Center and other county Health Care Agency facilities found that 99% of respondents think a “crisis of leadership” exists within the county and its health agency. Ventura County Star.