Latest California Healthline Stories
Senators Question HHS’ Innovation Initiatives
During a U.S. Senate Finance Committee hearing on Wednesday, lawmakers questioned the efficacy of cost control initiatives managed by HHS’ Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovations. The Affordable Care Act provided CMMI with $10 billion to develop and test care delivery models that aim to boost quality and lower costs. CMMI Director Richard Gilfillan defended the initiatives, saying that that it “will take time to see the improvements we are after.” Politico, Reuters.
Columnist Examines Prime’s Motivations in Labor Dispute
Los Angeles Times columnist Michael Hiltzik suggests that an ongoing labor dispute between Ontario, Calif.-based Prime Healthcare and the Service Employees International Union might stem from Prime’s “gnarly history” with the SEIU. Hiltzik writes that Prime “blames the union for fomenting” a federal probe into its Medicare billing practices. Los Angeles Times.
Bill Would Repeal Insurer Fee Under Affordable Care Act
On Tuesday, Sens. John Barrasso and Orrin Hatch reintroduced a bill that would repeal a health insurer fee under the Affordable Care Act, which the lawmakers said would negatively affect the economy. The release of the bill follows a National Federation of Independent Business report that concluded that the fee would eliminate between 146,000 and 262,000 jobs by 2022. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Senate Rejects Ryan’s House-Approved FY 2014 Budget Proposal
Yesterday, the Senate rejected House Budget Committee Paul Ryan’s fiscal year 2014 budget plan. Meanwhile, the Senate appears on track to pass its first budget resolution in four years, which would achieve $275 billion in health care savings. The Hill‘s “Floor Action Blog” et al.
Medicare Studies Cost of Long-Term Acute Care in Santa Cruz County
Officials in California are seeking to learn why long-term acute care spending in Santa Cruz County is significantly lower than in other U.S. counties. They are working with county officials to assess whether the region’s practices could be replicated nationwide. HealthyCal.
Report: ACA Has Benefitted More Than One Million Californians
A new report from Health Access, a not-for-profit that supports the Affordable Care Act, finds that more than one million Californians have benefitted from provisions in the ACA since its passage. KQED’s “State of Health,” Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Sebelius Touts Benefits, Savings of ACA Ahead of Third Anniversary
In advance of the Affordable Care Act’s third anniversary tomorrow, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius touted the law’s benefits, noting that Medicare beneficiaries have saved more than $6.1 billion on medications and that premium rate increases are slowing. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” Politico.
UCSF Heart Disease Study To Tap Smartphone Data
UC-San Francisco researchers are preparing to launch a study that will leverage smartphones and other devices to better prevent and manage heart disease. Researchers aim to enroll up to one million participants across the U.S., who will contribute information to a centralized database. Wall Street Journal.
Medical Experts Give Three Calif. Prisons Failing Marks
Three prisons in San Diego, San Quentin and San Luis Obispo still are failing to provide adequate medical care to inmates, but two of the prisons could pass evaluation if they continue to make improvements, according to reviews filed this week by court-appointed medical experts. The reviews come as Gov. Brown pushes to end federal oversight of the state’s prison health care system. Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal.”
CIRM Awards $32.3M for New Calif.-Based Stem Cell Bank
On Thursday, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine awarded $32.3 million in grants to nine researchers to establish a Bay Area-based stem cell bank. CIRM said storing stem cells in a central location will help scientists more quickly find treatments or cures for a variety of diseases. San Francisco Business Times‘ “BiotechSF,” U-T San Diego.