Latest California Healthline Stories
Counties Need Funding for Public Health, Editorial Says
A Sacramento Bee editorial argues if the state takes “back the bulk of a $1.5 billion block grant that goes to counties for the medically indigent and for public health” as Gov. Brown proposed in his budget plan, “counties will have to choose between covering the remaining uninsured or continuing basic public health functions, when they should be doing both.” It concludes, “The Legislature, a co-equal branch of government, needs to jump into the fray, sending the message that public health is important.” Sacramento Bee.
Sebelius Defends Calls to Companies To Boost Public Awareness of ACA
At House committee hearing on Tuesday, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told lawmakers that she made calls to a total of five companies and organizations on behalf of a campaign aimed at raising public participation and awareness about the Affordable Care Act. Washington Post‘s “Wonkblog” et al.
Lawmakers Join Rally Against 10% Cut to Medi-Cal Reimbursements
Several lawmakers joined thousands of health providers, unionized workers, insurers and patients at a rally in Sacramento yesterday to oppose an impending 10% cut to Medi-Cal payment rates. Gov. Brown has included the cut in his revised budget plan. Sacramento Bee.
House Members Ask CMS To Postpone Managed Care Shift
Several House members have expressed concerns that a program to move certain individuals eligible for both Medi-Cal and Medicare to managed care plans will not be able to provide adequate care by its launch. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now,” House letter.
UC-San Diego, RWJF Launch Self Data-Sharing Initiative
Last week, UC-San Diego’s California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation announced the launch of an initiative to make self-reported data from personal health devices available to researchers. The Health Data Exploration project aims to collect data from companies that make health tracking devices and fitness applications, according to an RWJF spokesperson. MobiHealthNews.
Employee Costs To Consume Sacramento’s New Revenue
Sacramento County’s proposed $3.5 billion budget expects higher property and sales tax revenue next fiscal year, but salary increases and pension costs could eat up the anticipated revenue growth. As a result, County Executive Brad Hudson said he does not expect services that were cut during the recession to be restored. County supervisors discuss the proposed budget next week. Sacramento Bee.
Editorial: Cost Transparency Essential for Health Reform
A Sacramento Bee editorial argues that for the Affordable Care Act, “or any reform of the U.S. health care system … to work, we have to figure out how to bend the cost curve downward,” as health care costs are currently “way out of line.” However, U.S. residents first “have to be able to see posted prices for visits, procedures and drugs,” the editorial states. It concludes, “Before we can reduce costs, we have to know what they are. Then we can all protest excessive costs and hold providers accountable.” Sacramento Bee.
Workers Cut Health Visits After Switch to High-Deductible Plan
A new study finds that U.S. workers visited their physicians and pharmacies less after their employers moved them into a high-deductible health plan. The study’s authors say beneficiaries might forgo preventive treatment because they are confused about the plan’s coverage. Modern Physician.
Study: More U.S. Residents To Be Self-Employed Under ACA
The number of U.S. residents who will be self-employed is expected to increase by more than 11% in 2014 largely because of provisions in the Affordable Care Act that are designed to boost their access to health insurance coverage, according to a new study by the Urban Institute. The study noted that many workers now are forced “to stay in their job, even if their skills and talents are not optimally deployed” because they are “afraid that they may be denied health insurance coverage because of pre-existing conditions, unable to [afford] the premiums or lose access to a trusted provider.” The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
States Move Independently on Mental Health Legislation
As congressional efforts to advance mental health legislation stall, states are moving forward to pass their own mental health measures. Karmen Hanson — program manager at the National Conference of State Legislatures — said nearly every state is considering mental health initiatives, while about 24 states already have introduced bills this year. California lawmakers are considering whether to increase access and funding for mental health services. Politico.