Latest California Healthline Stories
States Push Back Against Health Insurers’ Fee in the Affordable Care Act
Some states are expressing concern about proposed rules that would implement a health insurance providers fee under the Affordable Care Act. Officials say the fee could be disruptive for states that provide Medicaid managed care plans. The Hill‘s “RegWatch,” Politico.
Union Calls for Lawmakers To Investigate UC Hospital System
Last week, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 — which is at a stalemate in contract negotiations with the University of California — said that UC medical facilities are understaffed and put patients’ health at risk. The union urged state authorities to investigate its complaints. UC officials called the probe request a bargaining ploy. Sacramento Bee.
Gov. Brown, Democrats Disagree Over Medi-Cal Expansion Plans
Gov. Brown and Democratic lawmakers disagree over details of the Medi-Cal expansion. For example, Brown seeks to move certain Medi-Cal beneficiaries to the state insurance exchange, while Democrats want them to remain in the program. Los Angeles Times.
Series of Bills Could Challenge State’s Prison Realignment Goals
Lawmakers in California have introduced three bills that could challenge the state’s prison realignment plan, which aims to improve inmate health care. The measures would implement longer prison terms for individuals who violate their parole. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Calif. Jury Orders J&J To Pay $8.3M Over Faulty Hip Implant
On Friday, a California Superior Court jury in Los Angeles County declared that Johnson & Johnson acted negligently by selling a defective artificial hip and ordered the company to pay $8.3 million in damages to a recipient of the implant. The verdict is the first ruling out of more than 10,000 lawsuits filed against the company over the implant. Los Angeles Times et al.
Rep. Ryan’s FY 2014 Budget Proposal Aims To Repeal, Replace ACA
House Budget Committee Chair Paul Ryan says that his fiscal year 2014 budget proposal would renew GOP efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. The budget plan also includes a provision to turn Medicare into a premium-support system. Washington Post‘s “The Fix” et al.
CIRM Says Proposals Are Fastest Way To Reduce Conflicts of Interest
Last week, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine officials met with the editorial staff of U-T San Diego to discuss the agency’s proposals for reducing potential conflicts of interest. CIRM officials say the proposals are the fastest way to address such issues. U-T San Diego.
Few Health Plans Cover All Benefits Required by ACA
Just one out of every 50 health plans in the private insurance market currently meets the essential health benefit standards that will be required in 2014 under the Affordable Care Act, according to a new HealthPocket analysis. The analysis found that California had one of the highest rates of health plans that meet most of the required benefits, at 89%. Miami Herald.
Most Not-for-Profit Hospitals Kept Recession Prices Steady
Most not-for-profit hospitals did not increase their prices as a result of the recent recession, according to a working paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research. The study found that hospitals that saw investment losses were more apt to curtail investment in information technology, including computerized provider order entry systems, and unprofitable services, such as trauma care and treatment for substance use disorders. Modern Healthcare.
Stakeholders Pursue Varying Approaches on Health Tweets
Physicians, journalists and members of Congress communicate differently about health care issues, according to a recent Kaiser Permanente study of millions of health care-related tweets. The study found that physicians most often tweeted about health education, while journalists focused more on the business of health and lawmakers most often discussed legislative, judicial and administrative health policies. Payers & Providers.