Latest California Healthline Stories
California Fines Kaiser $4M Over Violations of Mental Health Laws
The Department of Managed Health Care has levied a $4 million fine against Kaiser Foundation Health Plan for failing to correct violations of mental health laws. Kaiser officials plan to challenge the penalty for being too high. Modern Healthcare et al.
Supreme Court Rules Against Suing Over Generic Rx Effects
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that U.S. residents who are injured by generic drugs cannot sue generic drugmakers for adverse reactions to their products. In the case, plaintiffs argued that the generic anti-inflammatory drug sulindac is unreasonably dangerous and contains design defects. In the majority opinion, the justices said federal law requires that generic drugs have the same labeling as their brand-name counterparts, making it impossible for generic drugmakers to strengthen warnings about possible side effects. Reuters.
Study: ED E-Health Records Can Contribute to Errors
Emergency department electronic health record systems have varying functionality that can lead to problems with “physician decision-making, clinician workflow, communication, and, ultimately, the overall quality of care and patient safety,” according to a report published in the current edition of Annals of Emergency Medicine. The report details four scenarios in which ED information systems can lead to medical errors, including communication failures, poor data displays, wrong order or wrong patient mistakes and alert fatigue. Modern Healthcare, Health Data Management.
Vision Plans’ Inclusion in Exchange Could Be Delayed
Last week, Covered California tabled a proposal from the vision insurance industry that aimed to resolve a timing obstacle related to selling vision plans through the state’s health insurance exchange. Last year, the vision industry successfully lobbied for the ability to sell adult vision insurance to individuals through the state exchange. However, federal policy issued March 29 prohibits the use of federal funds to support vision or other benefits not deemed essential under federal law. Anne Gonzales — spokesperson for Covered California — said that the exchange is evaluating its options for offering vision plans. Sacramento Bee.
Ventura County Medi-Cal Plan Projects $17M in Net Income
On Monday, members of the Ventura County Medi-Cal Managed Care Commission endorsed Gold Coast Health Plan’s projected annual budget that anticipates $16.7 million in net income. The budget plan is expected to bring in $347.8 million in revenue in the next fiscal year, compared with projected costs of $331 million over the same time period. Ventura County Star.
Covered California Picks Six Insurers To Offer Pediatric Dental Policies
Covered California has selected six insurers to offer pediatric dental coverage through the exchange. The policies — which will have premiums ranging from $9 to $44 per month — will cover dental exams, teeth cleanings and other services. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert” et al.
Caregivers Check Internet, but Few Leverage Tools, Poll Says
The majority of U.S. caregivers regularly use the Internet to gather health information, but few are leveraging online tools to track patients’ medication, according to a poll released last week by the Pew Research Center and the California HealthCare Foundation. According to the report, about 40% of caregivers with Internet access reported managing medications for someone, but just 7% of them used online or mobile tools to do so. U.S. News & World Report‘s “The Best Life,” eWeek.
Legislation Would Cover Workers Not Helped by ACA, Medi-Cal Expansion
A bill by Assembly member Manuel Pérez would establish a trust fund to provide comprehensive insurance coverage — including primary care, dental and mental health benefits — to workers who are not covered by Affordable Care Act provisions, such as the Medi-Cal expansion. HealthyCal.
White House Seeks To Enroll Latinos in Health Insurance Exchanges
The White House wants to ensure that Latinos enroll in the Affordable Care Act’s insurance exchanges. Observers say Latinos are key to the exchanges’ success because they make up a significant percentage of the uninsured population and many are young. NPR/Kaiser Health News.
Judge Orders Calif. To Move Inmates at Risk of Valley Fever
On Monday, U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson ordered California to move several thousand inmates at risk of contracting valley fever out of Pleasant Valley and Avenal state prisons. The order gives the state seven days to begin the transfers and 90 days to complete the task. In addition, no new inmates who are considered at-risk will be sent to either prison. Los Angeles Times, AP/San Jose Mercury News.