Latest California Healthline Stories
Opinion: State Must Weigh All Options To Boost Dental Care
In a Sacramento Bee opinion piece, Barbara Aved — former chief of the California Department of Health Services Managed Care Operations Branch — argues that a lack of access to dental care “is one of the most overlooked problems of California’s health care system.” Aved writes that the state “needs to partner with the dental profession and other stakeholders to put all options on the table and implement solutions to the challenges facing the system.” Sacramento Bee.
Study: Veteran Suicide Rate Increased From 2007 to 2010
In 2009 and 2010, an estimated 22 U.S. military veterans committed suicide each day, an increase from 18 per day in 2007, according to a study released by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The largest number of veteran suicides occurred among men ages 50 to 59. In a statement about the study, VA Secretary Eric Shinseki said, “We have more work to do and we will use this data to continue to strengthen our suicide prevention efforts.” USA Today et al.
LAO: Calif. Prison System Could Draw Millions Through Medi-Cal
A Legislative Analyst’s Office report released yesterday finds that the state prison system could draw millions in federal funds if it reaches Medi-Cal agreements with several counties and fixes problems with reimbursement software. Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal.”
Calif. High Court Likely To Let Pot Dispensary Bans Stand
During oral arguments yesterday, California’s Supreme Court justices signaled that they are leaning toward upholding the ability of local governments to ban medical marijuana dispensaries. Opponents argue that such bans conflict with state law. A ruling is expected within 90 days. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
CBO Updates Spending Projections for ACA, Medicare, Medicaid
The Congressional Budget Office has lowered its Medicare and Medicaid spending projections for the next decade by $137 billion and $236 billion, respectively. CBO’s 10-year spending projection for the Affordable Care Act has increased slightly. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
Prime Acknowledges Federal Probes Over Billing, Data Disclosure
Prime Healthcare Services recently told the Rhode Island Department of Health that it faces two federal investigations. According to Prime, one investigation involves its Medicare billing practices and the other involves the disclosure of a patient’s medical records. California Watch.
Health Care Providers Weigh Social Media Strategies
Health care providers are pursuing different approaches to social media as they seek to engage with patients and other physicians and relay useful health messages to the public. Some providers use personal accounts on social media websites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to engage with patients. However, other physicians are concerned that such communication could jeopardize patient privacy and blur professional boundaries. Wall Street Journal.
Sebelius Discusses Medicaid Expansion, New Pay Models
In a speech at the AcademyHealth National Health Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., on Monday, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius renewed her call for states to work with the Obama administration to implement the Affordable Care Act, specifically urging them to participate in the ACA’s Medicaid expansion. She also said that states have an obligation to try new payment models that can help reduce health care costs, such as patient-centered medical homes and accountable care organizations. MedPage Today, Politico.
Allergan Intends To Sell Lap-Band Unit During First Half of the Year
Allergan plans to sell its Lap-Band unit within the first half of the year amid broad criticism and scrutiny over the weight-loss device’s safety and effectiveness. The company’s CEO attributed the decision in part to decreasing sales for obesity prevention devices during the fourth quarter of 2012. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
CVS’ Medicare Drug Program Under Fire for High Bills
Last month, CMS sent a letter to SilverScript, the Medicare-approved drug program run by CVS Caremark, saying that the company’s inability to process prescriptions correctly “poses a serious threat to the health and safety of Medicare beneficiaries.” CMS has prohibited SilverScript from enrolling new patients until it addresses the problems. CVS said the problems are related to “an enrollment system conversion” that “brought about an increase in call volume and issues related to claims processing.” Los Angeles Times.