Latest California Healthline Stories
Poll: Most Calif. Voters Support Soda Tax To Boost Students’ Health
A Field Poll finds that nearly 70% of California voters would support a tax on sweetened drinks if the revenue boosted school health programs. Seventy-five percent of respondents said drinking sweetened soda increases the chance of becoming overweight. KQED’s “State of Health” et al.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of February 15, 2013
A plan to transfer ownership of San Leandro Hospital to Alameda County Medical Center likely is stalled indefinitely, according to San Leandro city officials. Officials at Doctors Hospital in San Pablo say that the facility will eliminate 22 positions as part of several cost-cutting measures.
Official Says Federal Government Will Be Ready To Run Exchanges
Yesterday, a federal official said the government will be prepared to run health insurance exchanges in 25 states this fall. The official cited ongoing testing of a data hub for verifying insurance eligibility as an example of the government’s preparations. Washington Post‘s “Wonkblog” et al.
Young People Are ‘Losers’ Under ACA, Editorial Argues
An Orange County Register editorial argues that younger, healthier U.S. residents will be “losers” under the Affordable Care Act because the law encourages young people “to wait until they are very sick to purchase insurance, since they can’t be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition.” According to the editorial, the ACA “fails” to reduce health care costs in part because “young and generally healthy Americans” are “unable or unwilling” to purchase insurance. Orange County Register.
$24M Prison Mental Health Center Opened in California
On Thursday, a $24 million treatment center for inmates with mental illnesses was opened at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville. State corrections officials used the mental health center’s opening to push for ending federal oversight of prison health care. AP/San Mateo Daily Journal.
Study Questions Link Between Readmissions, Mortality
There is little relationship between hospitals’ readmission and mortality rates, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers analyzed Medicare data from July 2005 to June 2008 on readmissions within 30 days of discharge and mortality within 30 days of admission for certain conditions. The study found that 20% of acute myocardial infarction patients were readmitted, and 17% died, while 18% of pneumonia patients were readmitted, and 11% died. Reuters.
Senate Democrats Unveil Proposal, but Sequester Likely To Take Effect
Observers say it is likely that the $85 billion in mandated spending cuts under sequestration — including a 2% reduction to Medicare reimbursement rates — will take effect. Democratic leaders unveiled a plan to prevent the cuts, but the bill is unlikely to pass. The Hill‘s “On The Money” et al.
State To Get Involved in County Lawsuits Over Pension Law
Gov. Brown has directed attorney general Kamala Harris to defend the state’s new pension reform law from lawsuits filed by employee unions in Alameda, Contra Costa Marin and Merced counties. The unions are challenging restrictions on how pensions are calculated for workers in the systems before the new law took effect on Jan. 1. Sacramento Bee‘s “The State Worker,” Sacramento Bee.
Anthem Agrees To Reduce Rate Hikes for Individual Policyholders
In response to pressure from California insurance regulators, Anthem Blue Cross has agreed to lower premium rate increases for about 630,000 individual policyholders. The decision will save policyholders an estimated $54 million. Los Angeles Times, AP/Sacramento Bee.
Organizations, Hospital Associations Seek To Block 10% Medi-Cal Cut
Several organizations and state hospital associations have filed amicus briefs opposing a 10% Medi-Cal reimbursement cut. The briefs argue that the cut could reduce access to care and that court decisions on the issue could have implications for other states. Modern Physician.