Latest California Healthline Stories
States Worried About Lack of Time To Test Health Plan Exchanges
Some state officials are concerned that there is not enough time to test their health insurance exchanges before enrollment begins on Oct. 1. The head of Washington state’s exchange said the program will be a “work in progress.” Modern Healthcare, USA Today.
Obama’s Tobacco Tax Plan Expected To Follow California’s Example
This week, President Obama is expected to propose a plan that would fund a universal preschool program using tobacco taxes, which is similar to a California initiative. Some experts hail the approach, while others say it is a risky long-term strategy. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Report: Workers’ Comp Reform Could Boost Primary Care Costs
A report from the Workers Compensation Research Institute finds that a law that overhauls California’s workers’ compensation system could lead to higher primary care costs and lower specialty health care costs. Sacramento Business Journal, WCRI release.
Sequestration Cuts May Worsen Challenges for Not-for-Profit Hospitals
A report from Moody’s Investors Service finds that spending cuts under sequestration could exacerbate funding challenges for some not-for-profit hospitals. Meanwhile, many advocates are calling for lawmakers to increase federal funding for disease research. Reuters et al.
Opinion: Bills Will Test Brown’s Resolve on Safety-Net
In a Ventura County Star opinion piece, columnist Dan Walters writes that the last two budgets proposed by Gov. Brown “cleaved deeply into California’s safety net of health and welfare services.” He writes that a series of bills have been introduced in the state Legislature to restore certain services. According to Walters, the bills will “test whether Brown meant what he said, or [if] it was just tax hike rhetoric.” Ventura County Star.
Healthy Food Needed in Schools, Opinion Piece Says
In a Sacramento Bee opinion piece, Mikki Cichocki — youth services coordinator for the San Bernardino City Unified School District and secretary-treasurer of the California Teachers Association — argues that the availability of unhealthy food in schools “undermines parents’ efforts to raise healthy kids, makes it harder for teachers to do their jobs well and contributes to an obesity epidemic that threatens the health of more than 23.5 million children and teens.” She writes that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s proposed nutrition standards for schools “won’t solve all the problems we face as parents and teachers, but [are] a critical step.” Sacramento Bee.
Report Details High Blood Pressure Rates in L.A. County
About 39% of women and 35% of men in Los Angeles County had high blood pressure in 2009, according to a study published in the journal PLOS One. The study noted that while control of high blood pressure is improving, the condition has become more common. Nationwide, the prevalence of high blood pressure increased by about 10%. KPCC’s “On Central.”
Report: ‘Big Data’ Could Curb Health Care Costs by $450B
A report from McKinsey & Company finds that the health care industry could save up to $450 billion annually by using “big data.” However, the report notes that the health care industry will need to make changes to realize such savings. Wall Street Journal‘s “CIO Journal” et al.
Experts: Obama’s Budget Likely To Forgo Major Changes to Medicare
Experts say that President Obama’s fiscal year 2014 budget plan likely will include Medicare provider payment cuts but will not propose structural changes to the program. In addition, the plan is expected to include $235 million in mental health program funding. Modern Healthcare et al.
Lawmakers, Advocates Criticize Obama’s Budget Plan Over Health Cuts
President Obama’s forthcoming budget proposal has drawn criticism amid early reports that it includes $400 billion in cuts to health care programs. Meanwhile, the plan would increase the Department of Veterans Affairs’ budget, according to an official. Wall Street Journal et al.