Latest California Healthline Stories
Federal Judge To Hear Arguments on Prison Mental Health Oversight
Today, U.S. District Judge Lawrence Karlton will hear arguments on whether federal oversight of California’s prison mental health care system should end. Critics say that more should be done to reduce inmate suicides before ending federal oversight. AP/U-T San Diego, KQED’s “State of Health.”
GOP Governors Mull Alternate Medicaid Expansion Plans
Although many GOP governors continue to publicly oppose the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion, some are pursing alternatives that would partially expand the program’s coverage. Governors in states like Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas have expressed interest in options that would allow them to provide coverage to individuals eligible for Medicaid under the expansion through state health insurance exchanges established under the ACA. AP/Sacramento Bee, MedPage Today.
Roth Vows To Restore Funding to UC-Riverside Medical School
On Tuesday, Sen. Richard Roth pledged to push for the reinstatement of $15 million in annual state funding to ensure that UC-Riverside’s School of Medicine — scheduled to open this fall — can operate at full capacity with classes of 80 students. In 2011, the funding was withdrawn amid the state’s budget crisis, forcing the school to open one year later with a smaller inaugural enrollment of 50 students. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Health Insurers To Pay More for Medical Claims Under ACA, Report Says
A Society of Actuaries report predicts that health insurers will pay about 32% more for medical claims under the Affordable Care Act, which could lead to premium hikes for consumers. Covered California officials described the report as “misleading.” AP/U-T San Diego et al.
Blue Shield Foundation Awards $10.7M in Q1 2013 Grant Funding
The Blue Shield of California Foundation has announced that it will provide $10.7 million in grants during the first quarter of 2013 to aid state health care initiatives. Some of the funding will go toward helping boost Medi-Cal enrollment. San Francisco Business Times, Blue Shield of California Foundation release.
High Court Ruling on Same-Sex Unions Could Affect Public Health
The Supreme Court is hearing arguments about California’s Proposition 8 and whether Congress can deny federal benefits to legally wed same-sex couples under the Defense of Marriage Act. Observers say the cases could affect public health. New York Times et al.
Editorial Mulls Effect of ACA on California Farmers
An Orange County Register editorial argues that the Affordable Care Act will “burden” California farmers by requiring them to offer health insurance for their workers. According to the editorial, farmer advocates say the business owners likely will “drop health insurance” and instead pay a cheaper penalty for not offering coverage. However, the editorial argues, this result “would create higher costs for taxpayers and poorer outcomes for ill or injured workers.” Orange County Register.
Report: California’s Health Care Spending Among Lowest in U.S.
A report finds that in 2009, California’s public and private health care spending as a proportion of its economy was 12.5%, or 84% of the national average. California’s health care spending was the sixth lowest of all states. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Report Looks at Soda Firms’ Role in Failed Tax Measures
The multibillion-dollar soda industry’s investments on targeted philanthropy and paid strategic partnerships with ethnic groups and health organizations played a key role in the failures of ballot measures to raise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, such as those in El Monte and Richmond last year, according to a report by the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Contra Costa Times.
Employers Might Look to Temporary Staffing To Avoid ACA Mandate
Some employers might start hiring workers through temporary-staffing agencies to avoid providing coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, a report finds that the ACA has created significant costs and hours of paperwork. Washington Post, The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”