Latest California Healthline Stories
House To Take Another Swing at Delaying ACA Mandates Next Week
On Thursday, House Speaker John Boehner announced the House will hold back-to-back votes next week aimed at delaying the implementation of the Affordable Care Act’s employer and individual mandates. The votes will be the 38th and 39th time the House has attempted to repeal all or part of the ACA. The Hill et al.
CalPERS Delays Launch of Website That Would Disclose Pension Data
CalPERS has delayed the launch of a website that would disclose data on beneficiaries, including their names, pension payments and retirement date. The pension system made the decision following criticism by retiree groups, who say that the availability of such data could make beneficiaries vulnerable to fraud and identify theft. Sacramento Bee, AP/Stockton Record.
Adventist Health Is Seeking Limited HMO License
Last month, Adventist Health’s board approved a plan to obtain a limited health maintenance organization license so its hospitals and physicians can have more control over patient care under the Affordable Care Act, as well as to expand its market share. Consultants and lawyers are working with the system — which includes a total of 19 hospitals in four states — to design a strategy that could launch in three regional markets in 2014. Sacramento Business Journal.
Kaiser Doles Out $1.4M to Sacramento Not-for-Profits
On Wednesday, Kaiser Permanente announced it is awarding 56 grants totaling $1.4 million to not-for-profit community organizations in the Sacramento region that improve access to health services, prevent community and family violence, and promote healthy eating and active living. The grants range from $7,500 to $99,948. Sacramento Business Journal.
Judge Orders Probe of California Prison Mental Health Programs
U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton has ordered an investigation of prison mental health facilities managed by the California Department of State Hospitals. In the order, Karlton cites evidence of physician shortages, treatment delays and the “denial of basic necessities” at such facilities. Los Angeles Times, KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
GOP Lawmaker To Target ACA via HHS Appropriations Bill
On Wednesday, Sen. Jerry Moran said he plans to use the appropriations process to delay and defund parts of the Affordable Care Act. Moran said he would introduce several amendments to HHS’ annual spending bill aimed at the ACA, such as spending allocations for the state health insurance exchanges and the Independent Payment Advisory Board. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Opinion Piece Supports Lifting Medical Malpractice Cap
In a Sacramento Bee opinion piece, Robert Pack — founder of the Troy and Alana Pack Foundation and leader of 38istoolate.org — writes that since California implemented a cap on medical malpractice damages over 30 years ago, the “sad story” in the state has been “physicians largely unwilling to police themselves, regulators turning a blind eye to available information about dangerous doctors and a lack of legal deterrence to medical negligence.” Pack writes that he is working with Consumer Watchdog on a ballot initiative to raise the cap. Sacramento Bee.
ACA Opponents Outspend Supporters 5-to-1 on TV Ads
Affordable Care Act opponents have outspent proponents by nearly five to one on television advertisements since the law’s enactment, according to a recent Kantar Media analysis. From March 2010 through the end of June this year, opponents have spent at least $385 million, compared with $78 million that proponents — led by HHS — spent during the same period. USA Today.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of July 12, 2013
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has given final approval to California Pacific Medical Center’s $2 billion plan to build a new hospital on Cathedral Hill and rebuild St. Luke’s Hospital. California Attorney General Kamala Harris is investigating an agreement between Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian and St. Joseph Health that resulted in Hoag’s ban on elective abortions.
House Democrats, Treasury Officials Defend ACA Provision Delay
This week, House Democrats and Department of Treasury officials defended the Obama administration’s decision to delay the Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate. Meanwhile, CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner addressed myths concerning the ACA’s health insurance exchanges. New York Times et al.