Latest California Healthline Stories
Several Data Breaches Occurred at Calif. Health Companies This Year
State records show that at least eight data breaches have been reported this year by California health care firms. Observers say the breaches show the companies did not take basic precautions to protect patient data. Wall Street Journal‘s “CIO Journal.”
Consumer Group Criticizes Exchange Rates for Being High
The president of Consumer Watchdog has criticized premium rates in Covered California for being too high. Meanwhile, observers are questioning Kaiser Permanente’s reasons for having high premium rates in the health insurance exchange. Los Angeles Times.
State Legislators Seek $3M To Help Relieve Veteran Claims Backlog
The joint Assembly-Senate Budget Conference Committee is seeking $3 million dollars to help relieve the backlog of veteran benefits claims in California. However, the Brown administration says the backlog should be resolved by the federal government. U-T San Diego.
Report: L.A. Leads U.S. in End-of-Life Medicare Spending
Medicare spending on end-of-life care is higher in Los Angeles than anywhere else in the U.S., according to a new report by the Dartmouth Atlas project. As of 2010, spending on end-of-life care was about $112,000 per patient in Los Angeles, roughly 60% higher than the national average. Los Angeles Times.
May Revenue $800M Higher Than Projections, Chiang Says
In a monthly budget report released Monday, California Controller John Chiang said that state revenue in May totaled just over $7 billion, outpacing expectations by nearly $800 million. He said that the state continues to display “strong signs of recovery” amid an improving job market and higher consumer spending. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Brown: Future Spending Boost Not Part of New Budget Deal
On Tuesday, Gov. Brown said he has not agreed to consider an increase in future spending if the economy outperforms his expectations. On Monday, Brown and legislative Democrats reached a budget agreement for fiscal year 2013-2014. The new plan would use the governor’s economic forecast, which is more conservative than predictions in Democrats’ budget proposals that sought about $2 billion more in spending for state health programs and other services. Sacramento Bee.
Obama Administration Moves Forward With Gun Control Package
The Obama administration is moving forward with a gun control package that includes mental health provisions. Medical groups have criticized one provision aimed at facilitating the flow of mental health records to a gun background check database. New York Times, Wall Street Journal.
CDC Selects 104 Employers for Workplace Wellness Program
CDC has selected 104 employers in eight counties across the U.S. to voluntarily participate in a national workplace health initiative funded by the Affordable Care Act. The National Healthy Worksite Program aims to help small and mid-sized companies implement workplace wellness programs that use science-based disease prevention and wellness strategies to boost overall workplace health. Kern County was among the counties selected to take part in the initiative. Imperial Valley News.
Study: Number of Retail Health Clinics To Rise Sharply in Wake of ACA
A new study from Accenture finds that the number of retail health clinics in the U.S. is expected to increase significantly over the next few years as tens of millions of uninsured U.S. residents gain health coverage under the Affordable Care Act. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” MedPage Today.
Prime Healthcare Pays $275K To Settle Federal Patient Privacy Case
Prime Healthcare Services has agreed to pay $275,000 to settle a federal patient privacy case. A Prime hospital was accused of sending confidential patient information to workers and a newspaper to discredit an investigation of its billing practices. Los Angeles Times‘ “Money & Co.”