Latest California Healthline Stories
Children’s Advocates Concerned About State Exchange Benefits
Children’s health care advocates are worried that coverage offered through the state’s health insurance exchange will not meet certain standards. Insurers argue that premiums would increase dramatically if children were offered better coverage. KQED’s “State of Health.”
More Physicians Using Advanced EHR Systems, ONC Analysis Finds
An analysis by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology finds that doctors increasingly are adopting advanced electronic health record systems capable of meeting the meaningful use program’s requirements. Modern Healthcare, ONC analysis.
Columnist Questions CIRM Board’s Response to Review
During a public meeting on Wednesday, some members of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine’s governing board “showed overt hostility” to new federal recommendations for changes to the agency’s leadership and management structures, Los Angeles Times columnist Michael Hiltzik writes. He questions whether “the board will be taking seriously the advice” from the Institute of Medicine, adding, “Stay tuned, but don’t hold your breath.” Los Angeles Times‘ “Money & Co.”
Lawmakers, Health Advocates Seek To Restore State Programs
Democrats and health care advocates are seeking to restore health and human service programs as the state reduces its budget deficit. The officials have discussed restoring funding or services for Medi-Cal, Denti-Cal and CalWORKs. Sacramento Bee.
Kaiser To Boost U.S., Calif. Projects With New IT Center
Last week, Kaiser Permanent announced that it will establish a new information technology unit in Greenwood Village, Colo., that will support national, California and San Francisco Bay Area operations. New hires at the unit will fill a variety of positions, including programmers, systems support and software specialists, and project managers. San Francisco Business Times.
Organization Releases Plan for Health Reform Replacement
On Monday, the American Enterprise Institute released a 59-page blueprint that its author says would serve as a replacement for the Affordable Care Act if opponents succeed in repealing the law. The paper promotes a market-based overhaul of health care entitlement programs and changes to health insurance regulations. Under the plan, Medicare would be converted into a premium-support system and Medicaid would be transformed into a block-grant system. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
S.F. Bay Area Health Officials Require Flu Shots for Medical Staff
County health officials say that health care workers in the San Francisco Bay Area must receive an influenza shot or wear a surgical mask at work. However, the officials say they do not have the resources to enforce the requirement and are calling on facilities to do so. Bay Citizen.
L.A. Mayor: 911 Call Center Concerns Must Be Addressed
Los Angeles city officials must address concerns about public safety under proposed staffing changes at the Fire Department before further action is taken on the proposal, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said Tuesday after a meeting with officials to discuss the plan. The plan calls for shifting dispatchers from 24-hour shifts to regular eight-hour workdays, which could save the city $3.2 million annually. Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
California Data Breach Affects Thousands of Medi-Cal Providers
The Department of Health Care Services says it inadvertently posted online nearly 14,000 Social Security numbers of Medi-Cal providers. DHCS is conducting an investigation and offering no-cost credit-monitoring services for those affected. KCRA.
Higher-Income Individuals Face ACA Tax Hikes in 2013
Beginning Jan. 1, higher-income U.S. residents will face new taxes that are expected to raise $318 billion over 10 years to help fund the Affordable Care Act. Under the ACA, individuals with annual incomes over $200,000 — or married couples with annual incomes over $250,000 — will experience a 0.9% tax hike on wages to fund Medicare. Meanwhile, the ACA’s new 3.8% investment income tax will apply to individuals with a modified adjusted gross income of over $200,000 for individuals and $250,000 for couples filing together. New York Times.