Latest California Healthline Stories
HHS Sets Final Rules for Health Coverage Under Affordable Care Act
HHS has released the final rules on the implementation of health insurance policies under the Affordable Care Act. The rules require preventive care in catastrophic coverage policies, mandate statewide high-risk pools and govern premium variations. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
New Study Questions Medicare’s Risk-Adjustment Methods
A key factor used in evaluations of U.S. hospitals and health plans to determine federal reimbursements and measure quality often is inaccurate and can skew the amount Medicare pays to some health plans and facilities, according to a Dartmouth Atlas Project study. Researchers recommended that Medicare alter its risk-adjustment methods. Kaiser Health News’ “Capsules.”
Brown Seeks Broad Authority on States’ Expansion of Medicaid
Gov. Brown said that there are many uncertainties about the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act and that states need broad authority from the federal government to be able to control costs. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert,” Los Angeles Times.
Report Pegs California’s Unfunded Retiree Health Care Costs at $63.84B
In a new report, state Controller John Chiang estimates that California’s unfunded liability for providing health care to retired public workers will be $63.84 billion over 30 years. Chiang urged lawmakers to set aside more funds for retiree health care costs. Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal” et al.
Premium Hikes Declining for Individual Coverage Policies, Report Finds
A new report from HHS finds that 34% of health insurance plans in the individual market sought to increase premiums by at least 10% in 2012, compared with 75% of such plans in 2010. The report attributes the trend in part to the Affordable Care Act. Washington Times et al.
Pelosi, Other Lawmakers Urge UC To Lift Insurance Caps
Rep. Nancy Pelosi and nine other members of Congress have sent a letter urging University of California to lift lifetime caps on student health insurance. Although the Affordable Care Act prohibits such caps in most health insurance plans, it exempts “self-funded” college health plans in which universities take on the financial risk of medical claims. San Francisco Chronicle.
Health IT Could Reduce Health Care Disparities, Report Finds
Health information technology could help reduce disparities in care among ethnic and racial minorities, according to a report released Thursday at a White House Summit hosted by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT, HHS’ Office of Minority Health and the not-for-profit organization ZeroDivide. The report stated that health IT systems could facilitate the collection and analysis of demographic data, which could help health care providers identify disparities and ensure that they have culturally and linguistically appropriate clinical staff and services. Healthcare IT News.
Opinion: Mental Health Care Could Curb School Violence
In a Capitol Weekly opinion piece, Robert Ross — president and CEO of the California Endowment — writes that the “national conversation” on school violence has been missing “one essential element: a physician’s focus on prevention.” He writes, “Every school should have the resources it needs to provide comprehensive health services, where nurses, counselors and other experts can diagnose problems, whether mental or physical, and get kids the help they need.” Capitol Weekly.
Overcrowding Hindering Prison Health Care, Receiver Says
In a federal brief filed Friday, federal receiver J. Clark Kelso argued that prison overcrowding in California is continuing to have a negative effect on health care. The brief included charts that show that prisons with the lowest medical care scores have average populations that are 55% above designed capacity, while prisons with the best medical scores have average populations that are 34% above capacity. Los Angeles Times.
Healthgrades Ranks 11 California Hospitals Among Top 100 in U.S.
A new Healthgrades report ranks 11 California hospitals among the nation’s top 100 for in-hospital mortality and complication rates for certain procedures. According to the report, other states with high-ranking hospitals were Florida, Michigan and Ohio. Healthcare IT News, Healthgrades report.