Latest California Healthline Stories
Report: Full ACA Implementation Would Lead to 18M More Insured
A new report finds that nearly 18 million U.S. residents would become insured and the rate of uninsured in all 50 states would fall below 15% if every state expanded its Children’s Health Insurance Program and Medicaid program as outlined under the Affordable Care Act. Modern Healthcare, Kaiser Family Foundation/Urban Institute study.
Fitch Upgrades Calif.’s Bond Rating to ‘A’ Based on Brown’s Budget
Fitch Ratings says that Gov. Brown’s “structurally sound” budget plan for the new fiscal year has prompted the group to raise the state’s bond rating from an “A-” to an “A.” Although Democrats had sought about $2 billion more in spending on state services and programs, the budget plan uses a more conservative economic forecast touted by Brown in the spring. AP/Sacramento Bee, Bloomberg.
Official Says ACA Call Centers May Not Be Ready in Time
On Tuesday, Kathy Gallagher — director of the Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department — said that the Concord call center may be the only one operational statewide when the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges begin open enrollment on Oct. 1. She said the other two ACA call centers have been slowed by hiring and delayed training materials. However, she said the delays will not force the county to subsidize its center’s operations from the general fund. San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times.
Lawsuit Says CalPERS Misled Long-Term Care Policyholders
A lawsuit filed yesterday by three law firms argues that CalPERS misled more than 125,000 beneficiaries with long-term care insurance by saying their premiums would be stable. The firms are calling on CalPERS to return all premiums paid for long-term care plans and are seeking class action status for the lawsuit. Sacramento Bee, CBS Los Angeles.
California Hospital Association President and CEO Duane Dauner warned that the planned closing of Palomar Continuing Care Center in Escondido this autumn may be the first of many “health care dominoes” to fall unless lawmakers and Gov. Brown’s administration reverse Medi-Cal budget cuts. A Medi-Cal fee cut of up to 10% — retroactive to 2011 — is set to take effect by the end of the summer. Sacramento Business Journal.
Nevada Legislative Panel Approves $2.1M in Mental Health Funding
Yesterday, a Nevada legislative committee approved $2.1 million in emergency mental health services funding that largely will be used to renovate and hire new staff at Rawson-Neal Psychiatric Hospital, which has been widely criticized for busing patients with mental illnesses to California and other states. Sacramento Bee.
Security Testing of ACA Data Hub Still Incomplete, OIG Report Finds
An HHS Office of Inspector General report finds that CMS still has “several critical tasks” to complete ahead of the Oct. 1 launch of a data hub designed to connect federal agencies with state health insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act. LifeHealthPro, CQ HealthBeat.
Mostashari To Step Down as National Health IT Coordinator
National Coordinator for Health Information Technology Farzad Mostashari has announced that he will resign in the fall after serving two years in the role. During his time as national coordinator, Mostashari has promoted widespread health IT adoption by touting the meaningful use program and other initiatives. Under the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, health care providers who demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health record systems can qualify for Medicaid and Medicare incentive payments. Mostashari has not disclosed the reason for his departure. Modern Healthcare et al.
Poll: Most Mass. Residents Satisfied With Health Care Services Following 2006 Overhaul
The majority of Massachusetts residents say they are satisfied with their health care, according to a Massachusetts Medical Society poll released Monday. The Affordable Care Act is widely believed to have been modeled after the state’s 2006 health reform law. However, the poll — which was conducted in May and included responses from 417 randomly selected residents — found that respondents still have concerns about health care costs and appointment wait times. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
HHS Launches Insurance Exchange Education Videos, Promo Website
HHS has launched a new website and unveiled a series of educational videos and infographics to promote the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges. The Obama administration rolled out the new features ahead of schedule to generate more consumer interest in the exchanges. USA Today et al.