Latest California Healthline Stories
HHS Revising ACA Form After Length, Complexity Criticized
HHS is revising a 15-page form that millions of U.S. residents will fill out next year to apply for tax credits or health insurance exchange plans under the Affordable Care Act, following criticisms of a draft form’s length and complexity. Observers said the draft form could be daunting for many consumers and discourage them from completing it. The Hill‘s “RegWatch,” AP/Denver Post.
Lawmakers OK Audit of Database of Mentally Ill Individuals With Guns
California lawmakers have approved an audit of a database of individuals who cannot possess guns because of mental illness or other factors. The audit seeks a review of whether information about such individuals is immediately reported to the state. Bloomberg, Los Angeles Times.
Charity Care Bill Pits Hospitals Against Labor Unions
Some California hospital officials have expressed concern that a bill — by Assembly members Rob Bonta and Bob Wiecowski — that would increase the level of charity care not-for-profit acute care facilities must provide and tighten hospital reporting requirements might force some facilities to close. The bill has been endorsed by several influential labor unions, including the California Nurses Association. Payers & Providers.
Covered California Offers $43M to Groups That Direct Clients to Website
Covered California is offering $43 million in grant funding to help not-for-profit clinics and community groups direct clients to the exchange website. Groups from Riverside and San Bernardino counties are planning a strategy for winning some of the funding. HealthyCal.
Insurers: Residents With Individual Policies Could See Rate Hikes in 2014
Officials from several large health insurers
say that U.S. residents who obtain health coverage in the individual insurance
market could see their premiums rise by between 20% and 100% in January 2014 as
a result of certain Affordable Care Act provisions. AP/Sacramento Bee.
Patients Don’t Want To Factor Cost Into Care Decisions
Most consumers do not want to consider costs when making health care decisions, according to a recent Health Affairs study that included patients in California and Washington, D.C. Researchers say the finding could pose issues for insurers and employers as they try to curb health care spending. Kaiser Health News/KQED’s “State of Health.”
Pérez Unveils Bill To Boost Access to Medical Interpreters
California Assembly Speaker John Peréz has introduced a bill that would create a system, called CommuniCal, to improve access to interpreters at physician offices and hospitals. The system would certify and register medical interpreters and reimburse them for their services. The bill — which resembles a similar measure that failed last year — would tap into federal funds to offset the costs of the system. KPBS.
Obama Meets With GOP Lawmakers To Discuss Deficit, Health Programs
President Obama told House Republicans that
he is serious about curbing the costs of federal health programs as part of a deal
to reduce the federal deficit. Meanwhile, the House Budget Committee passed the
budget proposal by committee chair Paul Ryan. Washington Post et al.
Bills Introduced To Expand Scope of Practice for Non-Physicians
California Sen. Ed Hernandez has introduced a series of measures that would expand the scope of practice for non-physician health care providers. The California Medical Association is concerned that the bills could threaten patient safety. Sacramento Bee et al.
New Ad Seeks Health Reform for Undocumented Immigrants
A television advertising campaign calling for health reform efforts that would benefit undocumented immigrants has launched in California. The Affordable Care Act excludes many of those immigrants from new health insurance coverage opportunities. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”