Latest California Healthline Stories
GOP Study Committee Leader Urges NBA, NFL To Not Promote ACA
Yesterday, the leader of the Republican Study Committee sent a letter to commissioners of the National Basketball Association and National Football League urging the organizations not to promote the Affordable Care Act, as requested by HHS. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” Politico.
Efficacy of Workplace Wellness Programs Questioned
Financial incentives offered by workplace wellness programs encouraged by the Affordable Care Act might not be enough to motivate workers to adopt healthy lifestyle choices, according to a viewpoint published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. In addition, penalties under such programs could leave employees less healthy or hurt them financially, the viewpoint states.
Despite DOMA Ruling, Same-Sex Couples Might Miss Out on ACA Benefits
An analyst has issued a memo saying that certain same-sex couples might lose their eligibility for certain consumer provisions under the Affordable Care Act, even though the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down the Defense of Marriage Act. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
Exchange Website Developer Previews New Software
Connecture — the developer of a Web interface for the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges — has offered a preview of the software ahead of the exchanges’ Oct. 1 launch. Connecture’s software is a point-of-sale program, which helps consumers select and purchase a health plan. Among its functions, the software helps consumers evaluate their deductible and net premium price, after federal subsidies are applied.
Unemployment Claims Up in California Down Nationally
A new U.S. Department of Labor report finds that 15,341 more Californians applied for unemployment benefits the week ending June 15, compared with the prior week. The state’s increase in unemployment claims stems from layoffs in the services industry. California had the highest increase of all states. Nationwide, unemployment claims dropped by 9,000 to 346,000 claims.
Assembly Rejects Bill To Fine Big Businesses With Workers in Medi-Cal
The Assembly has rejected a bill that would have penalized large employers if they do not pay workers enough to keep them out of Medi-Cal. Forty-six Assembly members voted in favor of the bill, eight votes short of the two-thirds majority required for passage. Los Angeles Times et al.
Arbitrator: Eden Township Owes Sutter Health $17M
On Wednesday, an arbitrator ruled that Eden Township Healthcare District owes $17 million to Sutter Health, ending a legal dispute over ownership of San Leandro Hospital. Sutter — as part of an agreement to donate the hospital to Alameda Health System — said it would release the district from paying damages if Eden Township helps financially support the hospital.
Brown Approves Budget Plan, Medi-Cal Expansion Legislation
Gov. Brown has signed into law a $96.3 billion budget deal and a bill to expand Medi-Cal to an additional 1.4 million residents. Democrats support the budget but say it does not offset recent cuts to health and human services programs. Los Angeles Times et al.
Calif.’s May Revenue Exceeds Earlier Estimates, Data Show
California’s May revenue was $939 million higher than estimates in Gov. Brown’s revised fiscal year 2013-2014 budget proposal and a FY 2013-14 spending plan approved by the Legislature, according to Department of Finance data released last week. Meanwhile, a recent report from the Legislative Analyst’s Office found that personal income taxes — which accounted for much of the revenue — exceeded Brown’s May estimate by $561 million.
Opinion Drinking Water Bill Would Hinder Public Health
In a Sacramento Bee opinion piece, Cindy Tuck — deputy executive director for government relations for the Association of California Water Agencies — and Bruce Pomer — executive director of the Health Officers Association of California — argue against a bill, by Assembly member Henry Perea, that “seeks to move the state’s entire drinking water regulatory program away from the [Department of Public Health] to the State Water Resources Control Board, which has an important mission but is not a public health agency.” They write that the bill is “well intended, but it reaches too far and would erode the drinking water program’s critical focus on public health.”