Latest California Healthline Stories
CalPERS Reports 12.5% Return on Investments, Beating Expectations
CalPERS has reported a 12.5% return on its investments for the most recent fiscal year, an increase from its 1% gain during the previous fiscal year. The pension fund earned a 1.5% higher profit than was expected. However, CalPERS still is facing $100 billion in unfunded liabilities. Sacramento Business Journal et al.
California Trial on Health Effects of Lead Paint Begins
A trial began Monday for a lawsuit filed by 10 California cities and counties seeking nearly $1 billion from paint manufacturers over the use of lead paint. Although banned in California for decades, lead paint remains in homes built before 1978. The plaintiffs argue that paint manufacturers sold the product despite being aware of its potential harmful health effects and want the paint removed from houses. The paint industry argues that it never deliberately sold harmful products and that the paint is no longer a significant public health risk. AP/Sacramento Bee.
Study: Employer Mandate Delay To Have Little Effect on ACA’s Cost
A new Urban Institute study finds that the one-year delay in implementing the Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate will not have a significant effect on the law’s cost or the number of covered individuals. However, a delay to the law’s individual mandate would affect the ACA’s success, according to the study. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Bill Would OK Compensation for Egg Donation to Science
A new bill would allow women in California to be paid for donating their eggs to research. California is one of three states that have banned compensation to women who donate their eggs for such a cause. Gov. Brown has 12 days to sign or veto the bill once the legislation officially arrives at his desk. If Brown takes no action, the bill would become law without his signature. Capital Public Radio.
Low-Income California Kids Miss Out on Federally Funded Lunches During Summer, Analysis Finds
Approximately 83% of low-income children in California — or about 2.1 million — who participate in a federally funded lunch program during the academic year did not receive no-cost or reduced-price lunches during the summer of 2012, according to a report by California Food Policy Advocates. The number of no-cost and reduced-price summer lunches served statewide dropped by 40% from 2006 to 2012, according to California Food Policy Advocates’ analysis of California Department of Education data. Marin Independent Journal/San Jose Mercury News.
Former Govs. File Brief Supporting Delay of Inmate Release Order
Four former California governors have submitted a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court supporting Gov. Brown’s request to stay the federal court-ordered release of about 9,600 state prisoners. The former governors say the order could worsen a recent increase in crime in the California’s largest cities. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert,” et al.
State Approves Covered California Rates Following Actuarial Review
State regulators approved proposed premiums rates for individual health plans offered through Covered California. Actuaries reviewed individual plans from 13 insurers participating in the exchange and determined that the rates were reasonable. Sacramento Business Journal, Department of Managed Health Care release.
A U-T San Diego editorial argues that “[s]tate-run facilities for the developmentally disabled need to do a much better job of keeping their residents safe and free from abuse.” While a recent State Auditor report highlighted “serious flaws” within the operations of the state Office of Protective Services and “offered several recommendations” to address the issues, the findings are “unlikely to change such a culture unless [they are] accompanied by aggressive, honest leadership,” the editorial adds. U-T San Diego.
Report: HHS Is Top Violator of Federal Anti-Paperwork Law
In a recent analysis, the American Action Forum found that HHS violated the Paperwork Reduction Act 154 times in the past three years, with many of the violations stemming from the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. The violations added up to more than $13.6 million and more than 700,000 hours of regulatory burden. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Slowdown in Health Care Spending Might Be Short-Lived, Analysts Say
The increase in U.S. health care spending in 2011 was at its lowest in decades, but analysts say there are a number of pressures — such as implementation of the Affordable Care Act — that could resume the upward trend in spending. However, a recent Harvard University study says that if certain trends — such as hospitals being more efficient — continue, public-sector health spending could be $770 billion less than estimated over the next 10 years. Wall Street Journal.