Latest California Healthline Stories
Concord Selected To Run Call Center for Health Exchange
After reaching a deal with local unions, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors voted to select Concord as the site of a call center for the California health benefit exchange. Meanwhile, a Contra Costa Times editorial criticized the “last-minute” deal, noting that hours before the vote, “there was still no publicly available financial analysis telling supervisors and Contra Costa taxpayers what risk they would be taking on.” Contra Costa Times, San Ramon Express.
Lawmakers Argue Over ACA’s Effect on Young Adults’ Health Premiums
Last week, GOP members of a House subcommittee argued that provisions of the Affordable Care Act would lead to health insurance premium hikes for young adults in the individual and small-group markets. Democrats said that such claims are overblown. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
Stakeholders Debate Background Checks for New Exchange ‘Assisters’
State officials say that the 20,000 individuals needed to assist residents enrolling in the state health insurance exchange should undergo background checks as they will have access to sensitive data. However, some stakeholders say such polices are overly intrusive. Los Angeles Times.
Calif. EPA Poised To Identify Areas With High Health Risks
In a few weeks, the California Environmental Protection Agency is expected to identify regions that pose elevated health risks to residents because of environmental factors. The effort stems from provisions of a 2006 state greenhouse gas law that called for the state to identify such high-risk communities. Fresno Bee.
Editorial: Ryan’s Plan Raises Important Medicare Questions
A Los Angeles Times editorial argues that House Budget Committee Chair Paul Ryan’s plan to overhaul Medicare “goes too far, threatening Medicare’s fundamental promise of affordable health insurance for all seniors.” However, it concludes, “Even if lawmakers don’t like Ryan’s proposed answers, they still have to grapple with the questions he asks about the sustainability of the Medicare model.” Los Angeles Times.
More Medical Students Seeking To Go Into Primary Care Residency
For the fourth-consecutive year, the number of graduating medical students selecting primary care specialties increased. However, the increase is not expected to compensate for a looming shortage of primary care physicians, experts say. Modern Physician, USA Today.
S.D. Hospice To Relocate All Patients by End of Month
Last week, a lawyer for San Diego Hospice — which filed for bankruptcy protection last month amid a federal probe into its care delivery practices — said the facility’s nearly 1,000 patients would be relocated to new care providers by the end of the month. The announcement came during a court hearing as part of the hospice’s bankruptcy proceedings. U-T San Diego.
California Receives ‘D’ Grade for Health Care Price Transparency
California received a “D” grade in a new national report card on health care pricing transparency. Twenty-nine states received an “F” grade, while Massachusetts and New Hampshire were the only states to earn an “A.” Modern Healthcare et al.
Stakeholders Await Draft of Health Exchange Application
Stakeholders are awaiting the release of a draft version of the application for California’s health benefit exchange. Sam Karp — vice president of the California HealthCare Foundation — said the state should strive to provide a consumer-friendly process for enrolling in the exchange. KQED’s “State of Health.”
Obama Signs Reauthorization of Hazard Preparedness Law
On Wednesday, President Obama signed legislation reauthorizing the 2006 Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, which outlines readiness measures that communities, hospitals and federal agencies can take before and during disasters and outbreaks of infectious diseases. The law also gives state health departments greater authority to use staff resources in the event of a pandemic or a natural disaster that could affect public health. Modern Healthcare.