Latest California Healthline Stories
Official Criticizes IRS’ Lack of Outreach on ACA’s Penalty
Last week, U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration J. Russell George voiced concern that the Internal Revenue Service has not adequately informed the public about its plans to enforce the federal penalty for failing to purchase health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. The ACA’s individual mandate takes effect next year. NBC Bay Area.
States That Opt Out of Medicaid Expansion Might Face Pitfalls
States that opt out of the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act could face several unintended consequences, such as higher tax penalties for businesses with 50 or more workers or limited health coverage options for citizens below the poverty level. AP/U-T San Diego.
Some Lawmakers Seek Care for Undocumented Immigrants
A plan supported by some lawmakers would use $700 million in savings from the Medi-Cal expansion to offer health services to undocumented immigrants. State officials say Gov. Brown has not taken a public position on the plan. Sacramento Bee, AP/U-T San Diego.
PR Firm Nabs Contract To Promote Health Insurance Exchanges
Public relations firm Weber Shandwick has won a contract to promote the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges. CMS says states with federal or partnership exchanges can apply for grants to fund their exchange marketing efforts. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” CQ HealthBeat.
HHS Aims To Strengthen Gun Background Checks by Easing HIPAA Barriers
A new proposal from HHS seeks to address legal barriers under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act that prevent states from reporting certain medical and mental health data to a federal gun-purchase background check database. The Hill‘s “RegWatch” et al.
Kaiser Program Helps Reduce Painkiller Prescriptions
A program launched at Kaiser Permanente Southern California two years ago has helped curb the number of prescriptions for additive brand-name painkillers — such as Oxycontin and Vicodin — by as much as 80%, officials say. The program was designed to educate doctors about the addictive nature of such medication and how to safely prescribe the drugs. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
L.A. Officials Collect Unused Drugs To Reduce Misuse
Los Angeles County health officials are urging residents to drop off their unused, unwanted or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications at any of the drop-off bins available countywide as part of any effort to curb medication misuse. In addition, officials say residents can turn in medication-related items like needles and other controlled substances with “no questions asked.” KPCC’s “On Central.”
Editorial Urges Passage of Bills To Curb Doctor Shortage
A Los Angeles Times editorial argues that state lawmakers should approve legislation that would expand the scope of practice of non-physicians. The editorial notes, “More than a dozen other states have given professionals with advanced training more leeway to take specific steps without a physician on hand signing off on everything they do,” adding, “California should follow their lead.” It concludes that the bills would “help keep the cost of treatment from climbing out of more Californians’ reach, regardless of how many doctors are nearby, without reducing the quality of their care.” Los Angeles Times.
Covered California Begins To Staff Rancho Cordova Center
Covered California — the state’s health insurance exchange — is working to hire an estimated 500 employees for a new call center in Rancho Cordova. The call center, which will open later this year, is intended to assist state residents with the enrollment process for health coverage through the exchange. Sacramento Business Journal.
GOP Lawmakers Seek Reboot of Meaningful Use Program
On Tuesday, six Republican senators released a white paper outlining their concerns about current federal health information technology policy and called for an overhaul of the meaningful use electronic health record incentive program. In the white paper, the lawmakers wrote, “nearly four years after [its] enactment … we see evidence that the program is at risk of not achieving its goals and that $35 billion in taxpayer money is being spent ineffectively in the process.” FierceEMR, Center for Public Integrity.