Latest California Healthline Stories
Judges Grant California Six Additional Months To Cut Prison Population
Three federal judges have given California six additional months to comply with an order to reduce prison overcrowding. State officials, who argue that the state has improved inmate health care, are seeking the elimination of the prison population cap. San Jose Mercury News et al.
Law Addresses Personal Injury Cases With Medicare Patients
President Obama recently signed legislation to address the reimbursement and settlement process for Medicare beneficiaries involved in personal injury cases, in part by establishing a schedule for medical claims. Under the new law, beneficiaries have 120 days to notify CMS that a personal injury case is expected to settle. CMS then has 65 days to detail how much it believes it is owed by the negligent party, with a potential 30-day extension if necessary. Kaiser Health News/Washington Post.
Obama’s Plan Would Bar ‘Provisional’ Immigrants From ACA Benefits
Under President Obama’s new immigration reform plan, many undocumented immigrants would be granted “provisional” or “probationary” status. However, such immigrants still would be unable to obtain health benefits under the Affordable Care Act. Modern Healthcare et al.
Lawmakers Seek Answers From IRS, Treasury on Implementation of ACA
In a letter to the Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service, House Republican leaders demanded that the agencies release details about how they are implementing the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges and subsidies. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” Roll Call.
Kern County Clears Pilot for County Employee Health Plan
On Tuesday, the Kern County Board of Supervisors approved a Kern Medical Center plan to hire 15 workers — at the cost of $1.47 million annually — to administer a new health insurance plan for county workers and their families. The health plan’s premiums are expected to be half as expensive as its closest competitor. KMC officials hope to roll out the plan to a portion of workers by July 1 and offer the plan countywide in November. Bakersfield Californian.
Report Finds Kaiser Had Largest Share of Calif. Insurance Market in 2011
A report finds that Kaiser Permanente in 2011 had the largest share of California’s employer and individual health insurance market. Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Health Net and UnitedHealth Group also had large market shares. Los Angeles Times.
Report: Most Adults Not Using Technology To Track Health
Despite the proliferation of smartphone and tablet applications that monitor health, most U.S. adults who track their health are doing so without using modern technology, according to a report from the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project. Among individuals who reported tracking their health information, only 21% say that they do so using a smartphone application or another form of technology. USA Today et al.
Official Says Calif. Lacks Funding To Disarm Mentally Ill, Felons
At a legislative hearing, a state Department of Justice official said that staff shortages and funding cuts have delayed efforts to seize the firearms of nearly 20,000 felons and people with mental illnesses. Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee.
San Bernardino OKs Benefits, Salary Cuts for City Workers
On Monday, the San Bernardino City Council voted to approve $26 million in salary and benefit cuts for city employees. The city — which filed for bankruptcy protection in August 2012 — adopted the cuts in November 2012 as part of an operating budget. City Attorney James Penman said the council “has the authority to impose” the cuts and will do so because officials have been unable to reach a deal with unions representing city employees. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Focusing on Preventive Care Could Generate Savings, Report Finds
A report by Trust for America’s Health finds that the U.S. could save billions of dollars annually by coordinating public health resources to focus on preventive care. However, some economists say that investing in preventive care would not curb costs. Reuters, Modern Healthcare.