Latest California Healthline Stories
Unions Request ACA Changes, Say Law Would Damage Coverage
Three of the U.S.’s largest unions have sent a letter to the Obama administration requesting changes to the Affordable Care Act. The unions say employers might drop “multi-employer plans” because of expected rising health coverage costs, and they seek to have their lowest-paid members remain in such plans. Wall Street Journal, Washington Times.
California Inmates Sue State After Contracting Valley Fever
California inmates and former inmates who contracted valley fever while incarcerated at two state prisons are suing the state for lifetime medical care, including medications that can cost as much as $2,000 monthly. Prisoners’ attorneys are seeking class-action status for the case. The attorneys say they already have been contacted by more than 500 current and former prisoners about valley fever. AP/U-T San Diego.
CMS Releases Final Rule for Affordable Care Act’s ‘Navigator’ Program
CMS has issued a final rule that outlines selection criteria and training and certification requirements for the Affordable Care Act’s “navigator” program, developed to help boost the law’s health insurance exchanges. Those who work in the program must be affiliated with certain community organizations, such as churches. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” CQ HealthBeat.
Jones, Groups See Fraud Potential in Covered California Enrollment
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones and consumer advocacy groups are worried that more than 21,000 enrollment counselors employed by the state health insurance exchange could use their positions to commit fraud or identity theft. Exchange officials say that consumer safety is a priority. AP/U-T San Diego.
7% of South L.A. Kids Were Uninsured in 2011, Report Says
Nearly 7% of children in South Los Angeles were uninsured at some point in 2011, according to a study compiled by the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics. Countywide, 5% of children were uninsured during the same time period, and 9% of children nationwide were without health insurance. Further, the report says that more than 7% of children in South L.A. had no consistent source of health care, compared with the nationwide average of 4%. KPCC’s “On Central.”
Six Fired at Cedars-Sinai for Patient Record Privacy Breach
Five workers and one student research assistant at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have been fired because they inappropriately accessed 14 patient medical records between June 18 and June 24, according to a statement from the hospital. Four of those fired were employees of community physicians with medical staff privileges at Cedars-Sinai, one was an employed medical assistant at the hospital and the sixth person was an unpaid student research assistant. Los Angeles Times.
Health Systems Use ‘Big Data’ To Track Physician Behavior, Boost Performance
MemorialCare Health System in California has joined a growing group of hospitals that are leveraging “big data” to track physician patterns and improve performance. MemorialCare is using the Advisory Board Company’s Crimson software to compile information on several performance measures, analyze the data and then determine physician payments. Wall Street Journal.
Senate GOP Attempts To Defund, Delay ACA
U.S. Senate Republicans have launched a multi-pronged effort against the Affordable Care Act following the administration’s decision to delay the law’s employer mandate for one year. Last week, Sen. Ted Cruz introduced a bill that would defund the entire law. Meanwhile, Republicans on the Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday put forth several amendments that would delay the employer and individual mandates, rescinded funds for the law’s health insurance exchanges and the Independent Payment Advisory Board and halted the exchanges in the event of any glitches ahead of open enrollment launching on Oct. 1. Washington Times, The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Study Finds Urgent Care Centers More Available, More Likely To Be Affiliated With Hospitals
Urgent care centers are more available and more likely to be affiliated with a chain or a hospital system than in the past, according to a study released by the Center for Studying Health System Change. According to the study, urgent care facilities fill the void between EDs, which provide care for more serious issues, and primary care clinics, which often are closed in the evenings or on weekends. The study also noted that urgent care facilities can reduce health spending. Modern Physician.
Most States With Own Exchanges To Offer ‘Employee Choice’
A Commonwealth Fund report finds that Washington, D.C., and 15 of the 17 states that will run their own health insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act plan to offer small business workers the option to select among multiple health plans. The Obama administration has delayed the option in federally run exchanges. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules.”