Latest California Healthline Stories
L.A. County Supervisors Support Court-Ordered Mental Health Care Bills
This week, Los Angeles County supervisors passed a resolution supporting five state bills to strengthen Laura’s Law, which allows courts to mandate treatment for residents with severe mental health conditions and a history of violence or hospitalization. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
Calif., Vermont Only States To Require Bids for Exchanges
California and Vermont are the only states among those that will run their own health insurance exchanges that seek to require a bidding process for insurers that want to participate in the online marketplaces. The Affordable Care Act gives states the authority to require insurer bids as a way to help drive down costs in the exchange. Bloomberg.
Lawmakers Seek More Details on Timeline for ACA Implementation
This week, members of the Senate Finance Committee asked HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius for an update on the Affordable Care Act’s implementation schedule. Meanwhile, a House panel is seeking a meeting with Sebelius to discuss the ACA. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” CQ HealthBeat.
Sutter Health Reports Nearly 16% Jump in 2012 Net Income
On Thursday, Sutter Health reported a 2012 net income of $735 million, up nearly 16% from its 2011 net income of $634 million. Meanwhile, operating revenue for 2012 grew by 5.3%, from about $9.1 billion in 2011 to $9.56 billion in 2012. Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Business Times.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of March 15, 2013
Tulare Regional Medical Center CEO Shawn Bolouki says that the hospital must align with another health care organization or find a partner to remain profitable and sustain operations. Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Foundation raised $846,700 at its 20th annual gala.
Congress To Hold Hearings on FDA Oversight of Health Apps
Next week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee plans to hold three days of hearings to examine how FDA should regulate medical applications used on tablet computers, smartphones and other mobile devices. House lawmakers say they want to determine how the regulation of medical apps could affect patients, health care providers and app developers. Washington Post‘s “Post Tech.”
Calif., Other States Mull Limiting Businesses’ Self-Coverage Plans
California and other states are considering boosting the level at which stop-loss coverage starts as a way to limit firms’ use of self-coverage plans. Some policy experts say self-insurance plans are a threat to the Affordable Care Act. Kaiser Health News/USA Today.
Employers Could Face Fines if States Opt Out of Medicaid Expansion
A report finds that employers collectively could face up to $1.3 billion in federal fines in states that opt out of the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion. A separate report finds that safety-net hospitals will be hard hit in those states. Bloomberg, Modern Healthcare.
Editorial Blasts Proposed L.A. City Health Department
A Los Angeles Daily News editorial questions whether Los Angeles city officials should be entrusted “with something as vital as the community’s health,” given the city’s financial straits. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation has begun collecting signatures to place a measure on the 2014 city ballot to create a Los Angeles city health department. The editorial adds, “In addition to the concern that an L.A. city health agency would duplicate county efforts, residents should worry about where we’d get the estimated $200 million a year to pay for it.” Los Angeles Daily News.
Worksite Health Clinics Grow in Popularity, Study Finds
Worksite health clinics have experienced slight but steady increases in popularity among large U.S. employers, according to a recent survey by Mercer. The survey found that of the businesses with on-site health care clinics, 82% said that addressing lost employee productivity was a primary motivator for establishing a clinic, while 75% said that controlling overall health care costs was a top motivator. Modern Healthcare.