Latest California Healthline Stories
Calif. Still Faces $28B in Debt Under Brown’s Budget Plan
Although Gov. Brown declared that California would have a budget surplus if his fiscal year 2013-2014 budget proposal is implemented, the state still would owe nearly $28 billion in funds and bonds that it had extracted or withheld over the years from various sectors to balance the budget. Once the state begins paying off the debt in July, the state in 2017 would still have $4.3 billion in outstanding debt, mostly for delayed payments to health care providers and schools and municipalities, Brown said. Los Angeles Times.
Officials Tell Insurers To Stop Denying Coverage for Transgender Patients
California and Oregon officials are telling health insurers to stop denying coverage for certain treatments to transgender patients. The states are directing private insurers to pay for procedures for transgender patients that they cover for non-transgender patients. AP/Sacramento Bee.
Alzheimer’s Cases To Surge Among Calif. Minority Groups
Alzheimer’s disease rates among California’s minority groups are projected to increase significantly over the next two decades. However, health officials and observers warn that certain ethnic and racial groups might avoid seeking diagnoses and prompt treatment because of their traditional beliefs and values. Sacramento Bee.
Limited Response Rate for Survey on Hospitals’ Earthquake-Readiness
Nearly half of 200 hospitals in Southern California have not provided earthquake-readiness data that were requested by state and federal officials in early 2011. The low response rate is making it difficult for officials to help hospitals prepare for earthquakes. Los Angeles Daily News.
County Funding on the Line Under Medi-Cal Expansion Strategies
Under Gov. Brown’s fiscal year 2013-2014 budget plan, California counties could lose some of the billions of dollars in state funding that they receive annually if state officials manage the Medi-Cal expansion for them. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules.”
Medicare Panel Calls for Repealing Sustainable Growth Rate Formula
Last week, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission released a blueprint that called for permanently repealing and replacing the sustainable growth rate formula. The proposal would be paid for by a range of pay freezes and cuts to providers. Modern Physician, CQ HealthBeat.
Senators Urge CMS To Reform Medicare Fraud Prevention Program
A bipartisan group of senators is asking CMS to reform the Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor program, which aims to identify and deter Medicare fraud. A recent HHS Office of Inspector General report found the MEDIC program to be ineffective. The Hill‘s “Floor Action Blog,” CQ HealthBeat.
‘Medical Neighborhood’ Pilot Program Taps IT To Boost Care
CMS’ Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation and three organizations are preparing to launch a “medical neighborhood” pilot program. The project aims to help health care providers use health information technology to coordinate care, improve outcomes and achieve savings. Government Health IT.
L.A.’s ‘Bodega Clinicas’ Raise Quality, Regulatory Concerns
Los Angeles health officials and experts say they have concerns about the so-called bodega clinicas, which are common in immigrant neighborhoods and provide cash-only treatments primarily to uninsured Latino residents. The clinicas could help boost access to care, but officials say they have little information about those who own and operate the clinicas, how they are regulated and the quality of the medical care they provide. Kaiser Health News/New York Times.
Sebelius Will Stay in HHS Post Through Obama’s New Term
On Wednesday, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said that she would remain in her post through President Obama’s second term to oversee the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, many of Obama’s first-term cabinet members have stepped down or are in the process of doing so. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”