Latest California Healthline Stories
Report: Healthiest Counties Have More Primary Care Physicians
A Robert Wood Johnson Foundation analysis finds that the healthiest counties in California and other states have the highest ratio of primary care doctors. The report ranked California counties by health outcomes and health factors. Modern Healthcare et al.
Federal Hospital Report Database Reveals Issues at California Facilities
A new database of federal hospital inspection documents includes 48 reports that detail 199 separate patient care violations at California facilities. According to the database, another 115 reports detailing more than 780 violations have not yet been released. Payers & Providers.
CalPERS Committee Recommends Anthem for New PPO Contract
A CalPERS committee has recommended that Anthem Blue Cross manage the pension fund’s PPO program for five more years. CalPERS chose Anthem’s PPO over a plan by Blue Shield of California, the other finalist for the contract. Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Business Journal.
San Diego County Approves 90-Day Study of Laura’s Law
On Tuesday, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a 90-day study to determine whether the county should implement Laura’s Law, which allows courts to require treatment for residents with severe mental health conditions and a history of violence or hospitalization. The supervisors also considered the benefits of the Home Outreach Team, a local pilot program similar to Laura’s Law that is limited to patients who are willing to accept treatment. U-T San Diego.
Bill Would Cut Medicare Fraud Document Requests
On Tuesday, Reps. Sam Graves and Adam Schiff reintroduced legislation that would limit documentation requests during investigations of potential Medicare fraud. The bill would reduce the number of “additional document requests” from investigators to 2% of hospitals’ claims and create new penalties against investigators who repeatedly fail to meet recovery audit requirements. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Congress OKs Bill To Avert Gov’t Shutdown, Maintain Budget Cuts
This morning, the House approved a Senate-amended continuing resolution extension bill that would fund the federal government through Sept. 30 and avert a government shutdown on March 27, when the current CR expires. The legislation now goes to President Obama. Politico et al.
Concord Residents Press for Smoking Ban To Be Expanded
At a Concord City Council meeting last month, downtown residents and area business managers pressed officials to extend a limited-coverage public ban on smoking to more city blocks and multiunit buildings. One meeting attendee suggested that the ban be expanded citywide. Contra Costa Times.
Most Residents Do Not Understand ACA, New Tracking Poll Finds
A tracking poll finds that nearly 60% of U.S. residents feel they have inadequate information to understand the Affordable Care Act. According to the poll, unfamiliarity with the law is much higher among groups that are expected to benefit the most from the ACA. Los Angeles Times et al.
Assembly Member: Athletes Abusing Calif. Workers Comp
In an Orange County Register opinion piece, Assembly member Curt Hagman argues that “California is a magnet for millionaire athletes seeking to take advantage of California workers’ compensation system.” He has co-authored a bill to prevent “these outrageous abuses.” Hagman concludes that such athletes “should not exploit resources that are intended to help the average worker recover from a costly on-the-job injury.” Orange County Register.
State Report Finds Deficiencies in Kaiser’s Mental Health Services
A state report finds that Kaiser Permanente has mismanaged its mental health services by making patients wait long periods between appointments and offering inaccurate information on individual therapy coverage. San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee.