Latest California Healthline Stories
Obama Administration Argues To Dismiss Several ACA Lawsuits
Within the last week, the Obama administration has argued that several lawsuits against the Affordable Care Act should be dismissed, saying the law is not yet fully developed. The move follows the administration’s one-year delay of the ACA’s employer mandate. Washington Times et al.
California County Jails Work To Enroll Inmates in Health Coverage
California counties are working to enroll inmates in health coverage ahead of Affordable Care Act implementation. Although inmates likely will not benefit greatly from participating in the Low Income Health Program or Medi-Cal while incarcerated, they will be eligible for all benefits in the programs upon their release. HealthyCal.
State Midwives Rally Around Bill To Ease Restrictions on Home Births
An Assembly bill that would give midwives the ability to order medical supplies and tests without a physician’s approval has drawn support from the California Association of Midwives and other home birth advocates. However, CAM says the bill also should eliminate the requirement that a doctor must be present during all home births. Sacramento Bee.
Employer Mandate Delay Will Affect Southern L.A. Area, Expert Says
Jim Mangia — president and CEO of St. John’s Well Child and Family Center — says that a recent decision by the Obama administration to delay for one year a requirement that large companies provide health insurance coverage to workers will have “some impact” on the southern Los Angeles area. KPCC’s “OnCentral.”
Prison Sterilizations Need Complete Review, Editorial Says
A Sacramento Bee editorial argues for a complete, thorough and independent review into allegations that physicians working for state prisons coerced female inmates into having tubal ligations. On Sunday, the Center for Investigative Reporting reported physicians under contract with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation violated state law by sterilizing at least 148 female inmates between 2006 and 2010 without required approval. Sacramento Bee.
Republicans Say Employer Mandate Delay Is Proof That Affordable Care Act Should Be Repealed
Republicans have portrayed an announcement by the Obama administration that it is delaying for one year a requirement that large companies provide health insurance coverage to workers as proof that the law is not working and should be repealed. Meanwhile, other observers said the decision was politically motivated, suggesting that the Obama administration is trying to help Democrats by delaying the mandate until after the midterm elections. In related news, House Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee say they plan to hold hearings on the delay. New York Times, Washington Post.
30,000 Inmates Go Hungry To Protest Excessive Isolation
On Monday, 30,000 inmates refused meals to protest the use of security housing units for indefinite isolation of certain prisoners as a way to manage prison gangs. Members of the hunger strike — organized by inmates at Pelican Bay State Prison — seek a five-year limit on such isolation, as well as new educational and rehabilitation programs. Los Angeles Times, KPCC’s “Represent!”
Calif. Lawmakers Consider Prisoner Condom Legislation
California lawmakers are considering a bill that would require state officials to make condoms available in each of the state’s 33 adult prisoners by 2020 to limit the spread of HIV and other diseases. Assembly member Rob Bonta said inmates should be able to practice safe sex to help curb an infection rate that is higher than in the general population. However, state law prohibits sex between inmates. AP/KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Study Finds Premium Support Could Improve Coverage Stability Under Medicaid Expansion
Using the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act to help U.S. residents purchase private coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges could significantly reduce “churn” in Medicaid, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Previous research has shown that as many as 28 million low-income U.S. residents could experience quick and frequent changes in their Medicaid eligibility under the ACA. The new study indicates that employing a premium support model would reduce churn by as much as two-thirds. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” MedPage Today.
CBO Says Delaying Employer Mandate Will Cost U.S. $4B in 2014
The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the Obama administration’s decision to delay the Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate will cost the federal government $4 billion in employer penalty revenue in 2014. The CBO estimates that figure will increase to about $10 billion in 2015. USA Today et al.