Latest California Healthline Stories
House Committee Releases Bipartisan ‘Doc Fix’ Legislation
After several revisions and updates, the House Energy and Commerce Committee has released bipartisan draft legislation that gradually would repeal the sustainable growth rate formula. A House subcommittee is scheduled to mark up the legislation Monday and hold a final vote on Tuesday. MedPage Today, CQ Roll Call.
Two California ACOs Exit CMS’ ‘Pioneer’ Demonstration Project
Two California accountable care organizations — HealthCare Partners ACO California and PrimeCare — are among the nine that have chosen to leave CMS’ “Pioneer” ACO demonstration project. Experts say their decision is related to financial difficulties and the complications inherent in trying to boost care delivery and patient satisfaction while lowering costs. Payers & Providers.
Five Prisoners Require Medical Care During Hunger Strike
On Thursday, health care officials said that four California prisoners needed medical treatment and a fifth prisoner was referred to a doctor on the 11th day of a statewide prison hunger strike. The prisoners are protesting the long-term isolation of inmates. KPCC’s “Represent!”
Study Finds 67% Decrease in California Residents Hospitalized for Gunshots
The number of patients treated for gunshot wounds at California hospitals decreased by 67% from 1992 to 2010, according to a new report by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. The number of such patients decreased from 10,832 in 1992 to 3,575 in 2010, the study found. Study authors attributed the decrease to a decline in crack cocaine usage, a rise in statistic-driven police work and the success of community-based programs that encourage shot gang members at hospitals not to retaliate. Payers & Providers.
On Thursday, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation asked a federal court to delay for at least five weeks a Los Angeles County audit into how AHF uses county-administered federal AIDS funding. AHF said the audit would jeopardize patient care and accused the county of using the audit as retaliation for AHF’s criticism of how the county handles its AIDS programs. Los Angeles County called the foundation’s claims that the audit would harm patient care “bogus” and said the audit is “routine.” KPCC’s “Represent!”
California Suspends Medi-Cal Pay for 16 Drug, Alcohol Facilities
The California Department of Health Care Services is suspending payments to 16 alcohol and drug treatment centers after uncovering suspected fraud at the facilities. Investigations found that the centers billed Medi-Cal for services that were not provided or were not medically necessary and hired individuals who previously were convicted of fraud in government programs. Sacramento Bee et al.
Government Officials Voice Doubts About State Health Insurance Exchanges Launching on Time
During a House committee hearing on Wednesday, two federal officials expressed concerns about possible delays in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act’s state health insurance exchanges. Alan Duncan — an auditor with the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration — said he has concerns that significant delays and errors in accepting and processing insurance applications could arise as a result of inadequate testing of the online systems. Meanwhile, John Dicken of the Government Accountability Office expressed concern about the amount of work the government must complete in each state. Reuters.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of July 19, 2013
Experts say that Eden Township Healthcare District’s pledge to raise up to $20 million in funding for San Leandro Hospital might be improper under state conflict-of-interest laws. Ventura County Medical Center has started construction on a $305 million hospital wing that will include three stories and 120 new beds.
New BLS Report Finds 24% of Part-Time Employees Receive Health Benefits
Twenty-four percent of part-time workers in the private sector receive health benefits, compared with 85% of full-time private sector workers, according to a new Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The report also found that 60% of small businesses offer workers medical coverage, while 85% of employers with at least 100 workers offer health benefits. Los Angeles Times‘ “Money & Co.”
New York Approves Significantly Lower Premium Rates for Exchange
This week, New York officials announced that they have approved premium rates for 17 health insurance plans that will be offered next year to residents through the state’s health benefits exchange. The rates are more than 50% lower than the rates of similar plans offered in the previous year. AP/Miami Herald et al.