Latest California Healthline Stories
L.A. Superior Court Jury To Mull J&J Hip Implant Case
On Thursday, a jury in Los Angeles Superior Court heard closing arguments in a case about the safety of a Johnson & Johnson hip replacement device. The plaintiff’s attorneys argued that defects in the hip implant led to metal poisoning and other health problems. The jury will begin deliberations Friday. Los Angeles Times.
11 Health Care Groups Join State ICD-10 Collaborative
Eleven health care groups have joined the newly formed California ICD-10 Collaborative. The collaborative was designed to help health care stakeholders transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 code sets to accommodate codes for new diseases and procedures. Participants of the collaborative — including health care providers, insurers and vendors — plan to share best practices and collaborate on code set testing, lowering risks and reducing implementation costs. Health Data Management.
Analysis: Spending on Health Programs Trumps Calif.’s General Fund
The federal and state government in 2011 spent $46 billion on Medi-Cal and $59 billion on Medicare in California, according to findings from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. BEA estimates that such spending has surpassed the size of the state’s general fund budget. Sacramento Bee.
Editorial: Calif. Must Act Soon To Ease Coverage Under ACA
A Sacramento Bee editorial states that California is working to meet an October date for launching an online system to help residents obtain coverage under the Affordable Care Act. However, the editorial adds, “much remains to be done to revamp an enrollment system that is antiquated and heavy on paperwork.” The editorial concludes that Gov. Brown and the Legislature “need to get a sense of urgency about this.” Sacramento Bee.
Health Groups, Insurers Urge High Court To Drop DOMA
On Wednesday, several large health insurers and trade organizations joined a coalition of business interests to file a brief urging the Supreme Court to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act. In the brief, health care stakeholders — including the American Benefits Council, Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts — argued that DOMA’s restrictions on same-sex couples’ tax benefits impedes effective health benefits and hinders the process of providing those benefits to attract the best employees. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Sequester To Take Effect; Obama Must Specify Cuts by Midnight
President Obama is required by law to issue an order specifying mandated spending cuts under sequestration by midnight tonight. Lawmakers show no signs of reaching a deal to avert the cuts, which include a 2% Medicare pay reduction. USA Today et al.
Mental Health, Substance Use Patients Pay More, Study Says
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 increased access to treatment for mental health conditions and substance use disorders in hospitals, yet patients paid more for these admissions than other types of hospital care, according to a study by the Health Care Cost Institute. According to the study, patients with mental health conditions paid 10% of their hospital bill in 2011 and patients with substance use disorders paid 12% of their hospital bill, while medical or surgical patients paid 4% of the total bill. Modern Healthcare, The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Medical Researchers in California Worry About Sequestration’s Effects
Medical researchers in California are worried about the fate of federally funded research projects after mandated spending cuts included in the sequester take effect today. The cuts eliminate $1.6 billion from NIH’s budget for funding research initiatives. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of March 1, 2013
An Eastern Plumas Health Care official says the hospital might have to close because of a 25% reduction in total Medi-Cal reimbursements. Palomar Health officials have relicensed an old emergency department located at Palomar Health Downtown Campus to meet patient demand for emergency services.
State Tried To Conceal Report on Inmate Suicide Problems
California officials attempted to conceal a state-commissioned report that warned that the state’s prison suicide-watch practices encouraged inmate deaths, according to new court filings. Gov. Brown has been arguing in federal court that California’s prison health care system has improved and that federal oversight is no longer needed. Los Angeles Times.