Latest California Healthline Stories
White House Backs States’ Power To Cut Medicaid Payment Rates
The Obama administration has issued a brief in support of states’ discretion to cut Medicaid reimbursement rates. The brief defends California’s 2011 decision to reduce certain Medi-Cal payments by 10% and urges judges to uphold the cuts. New York Times et al.
County Officials Say ACA Could Negatively Affect Safety-Net Funding
The Affordable Care Act could threaten funding for safety-net facilities in California, according to county health officials. The officials say that state proposals to take money from counties to expand Medi-Cal could leave safety-net providers with fewer resources. Los Angeles Times.
Professional Athletes Receive Millions in Workers Comp
Since the early 1980s, professional athletes — many of whom play for out-of-state teams — have claimed an estimated $747 million in California workers’ compensation benefits. Sports leagues and their insurers want to change a California law that provides payments for the cumulative effect of injuries, while players and their unions are fighting to protect the payouts. AP/San Jose Mercury News, Los Angeles Times.
CalPERS Mulls Policy Changes as Economy Improves
Last week, CalPERS authorized a small increase in annual pension costs for about 1,575 local governments as the economy improves and gives government budgets a boost. CalPERS in May is scheduled to consider “capital market assumptions” and in July is scheduled to review a risk-based “decision framework” for investments with a goal to adopt a new asset allocation while the economy is stable. Capitol Weekly.
LAPD Urges Officers To Take Precautions Amid TB Outbreak
The Los Angeles Police Department has asked officers who patrol the Skid Row neighborhood to wear protective masks and minimize face-to-face contact with individuals who might be infected with tuberculosis. The move comes days after CDC scientists were dispatched to Los Angeles County to help officials investigate and curb a TB outbreak that has sickened nearly 80 downtown residents and claimed 11 lives since 2007. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
Report: California Could Save $110B Through Coordinated Care Switch
A Berkeley Forum report finds that California could save $110 billion in health care costs over a decade by adopting coordinated care models. According to the report, the savings would translate to annual household savings of $800. Sacramento Bee, Los Angeles Times.
Crescent Healthcare Notifies Individuals of 2012 Data Breach
Crescent Healthcare, an Anaheim-based Walgreens company, has begun notifying individuals about a December 2012 data breach resulting from a facility break-in. Compromised data could include patients’ health insurance information and clinical diagnoses. Healthcare IT News.
Federally Funded Research To Be Made Available to Public
The Obama administration has directed heads of federal agencies to develop rules to publicly release the results of all federally funded research within one year of being published in scientific or technical journals. The directive applies to all federal agencies performing $100 million or more in research annually — including HHS. Washington Post.
Contra Costa Supervisors To Pick ACA Call Center Location
On Tuesday, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors will vote on whether a new health insurance exchange call center should be located in Richmond or Concord. Last month, the state selected the county as a site for one of three call centers aimed at supporting eligibility and enrollment efforts of state-level Affordable Care Act programs. The call center — which will receive state and federal funding — will employ more than 200 workers. Contra Costa Times.
Sequester Cuts Would Affect Health Care, Other Programs in California
On Sunday, the White House detailed how the impending sequester cuts would affect California and other states if federal lawmakers do not reach a deal this week. Many of the cuts would affect health and human services across the state. Contra Costa Times et al.