Latest California Healthline Stories
Coalition Developing Ballot Measure on Rx Drug Misuse
A coalition of consumer groups and trial lawyers is launching a campaign for a proposed November 2014 ballot measure aimed at curbing prescription drug misuse and holding doctors more accountable for improper prescribing practices. The group plans to unveil a website to promote the campaign as it works out the details of the ballot proposal. Los Angeles Times.
Poll Finds Many Americans Misinformed About ACA
The Kaiser Family Foundation’s April 2013 tracking poll found that misinformation about the Affordable Care Act persists. More than 40% of respondents were unaware that the ACA is “the law of the land and is being implemented,” 12% thought Congress had repealed the ACA and 7% thought the Supreme Court had overturned the law. Washington Post‘s “Wonkblog.”
CDC Gets Involved in Valley Fever Outbreak at Two Calif. Prisons
Following the deaths of more than three dozen California prisoners infected with valley fever, CDC has launched an investigation of the fungal disease outbreak. Federal receiver J. Clark Kelso also has ordered about 3,200 high-risk inmates to be relocated. Los Angeles Times et al.
Jones: UnitedHealth’s 8% Hike for Small Firms Is ‘Unreasonable’
Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones has called UnitedHealth Group’s nearly 8% rate hike for small businesses “unreasonable.” UnitedHealth says the increase “is among the lowest” requested by a California health plan. Los Angeles Times, DOI release.
Concerns Raised About Insurers’ Lack of Interest in Health Plan Exchanges
Although Illinois officials predicted that 16 health insurers would sell plans on the state’s health insurance exchange, only six insurers have signed up. Experts are concerned that insurers’ lack of interest in Illinois’ exchange could signal a wider trend. AP/Sacramento Bee.
Opinion: ‘Many Options’ for Curbing Retiree Health Costs
In a Sacramento Bee opinion piece, Adam Tatum — a senior research analyst at California Common Sense — and Andrew Crutchfield — a research analyst at the organization — argue that California “has many options available” to address retiree health care costs. They write, “Prefunding, buyouts and benefit reductions can all successfully reduce the state’s retiree health care costs,” adding, “But every year California waits before addressing the issue, costs rise and the problem becomes more difficult to solve.” Sacramento Bee.
Votes Being Counted in Union Election for Kaiser Workers
The National Labor Relations Board has begun counting votes in an election to determine whether 45,500 Kaiser Permanente workers will continue to be represented by Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West or switch to representation by the National Union of Healthcare Workers-California Nurses Association. An administrative law judge called for the new election after finding that SEIU misconduct interfered with workers’ right of free choice in an October 2010 election that SEIU-UHW won by 61%. Sacramento Business Journal.
New Calif. Law Allocates $24M To Disarm Some Mentally Ill Gun Owners
Gov. Brown has signed into law a measure that will allocate $24 million to boost efforts to disarm individuals prohibited from possessing guns because of serious mental illnesses or other factors. The funds will come from surplus fees paid by gun purchasers. Huffington Post et al.
Calif. Indian Health Group To Settle False Claims Allegations
On Tuesday, the Office of the U.S. Attorney for Northern California announced that the California Rural Indian Health Board will pay the federal government $532,000 to settle allegations that the organization submitted false claims for substance abuse recovery programs. CRIHB also will surrender $4.6 million in federal grants from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. AP/Sacramento Bee.
Analysis: Large Part of Prison Rx Spending Goes Toward Anti-Psychotics
An analysis finds that California spends more on anti-psychotic drugs for inmates than other states with large prison systems. Officials say that they do not overprescribe such drugs, while an expert says some drugs are used out of fear of violating federal orders. AP/Washington Post.