Latest California Healthline Stories
Report: Raising Medicare Age Would Increase Insurance Costs by $2K
A Kaiser Family Foundation report finds that raising the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 67 would increase insurance costs for people 65 and older by $2,000. Some lawmakers have proposed the strategy as part of a deficit-reduction deal. Bloomberg Businessweek et al.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of December 7, 2012
Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System has dismissed Saint John’s Health Center’s CEO, its COO and 15 members of its board of directors. Dignity Health plans to lay off 50 nurses and other workers at St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital and St. John’s Regional Medical Center.
State Orders Gold Coast Plan To Halt Contract With HMO
The California Department of Health Care Services has ordered Gold Coast Health Plan in Ventura County to halt all activity related to a preliminary contract with AmericasHealth Plan, an HMO, over concerns that the deal would alter the way care is coordinated for several thousand Medi-Cal beneficiaries. Gold Coast is an HMO-style substitute for certain beneficiaries of Medi-Cal. DMHC said it would consider the contract after Gold Coast completes a series of financial and operational improvements. Ventura County Star.
Study Links Reduction in Particle Air Pollution to Higher Life Expectancy
A Harvard School of Public Health study that examined various U.S. counties — including many in California — finds that small reductions in fine particle air pollution are linked to increased life expectancy. The reductions are most beneficial for women and people living in urban areas. Los Angeles Times.
Majority of Alameda County HIV Cases Found in Oakland
More than half of all HIV cases in Alameda County are diagnosed in Oakland, according to county data. Neena Murgai — deputy director of epidemiology and surveillance — said that Oakland “is the area of greatest burden of several health conditions that are associated with higher concentrations of poverty and other social conditions.” New American Media.
IRS Releases Final Rule on Affordable Care Act’s Medical Device Tax
IRS has issued a final rule that will require manufacturers of certain medical devices to start paying a bimonthly tax beginning in January 2013. The medical device tax is expected to generate $29 billion in federal revenue over the next decade, which will be used to offset the cost of the Affordable Care Act. Reuters et al.
Hernandez To Unveil Bills To Address Physician Shortage
Sen. Ed Hernandez, an optometrist, plans to introduce legislation in 2013 that would expand the health care decision-making powers of nurse practitioners, pharmacists and other health care workers in an effort to address the shortage of primary care physicians in the state. Hernandez said that without changes, the state’s health care workforce will be unable to meet the increased demand for health care services once the Affordable Care Act is fully implemented in 2014. Capitol Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
State’s Dual Eligibles Initiative Under National Spotlight
Patient advocates are keeping an eye on California’s transition of individuals eligible for both Medicare and Medi-Cal to managed care plans as the federal government rolls out a similar initiative under the Affordable Care Act. Kaiser Health News.
CDC: Flu Vaccination Rates for Hospital Workers Rising
The proportion of hospital workers receiving seasonal flu vaccinations increased from 77.8% in November 2011 to 83.4% this November, according to a new CDC survey. The agency set a goal for 90% of all health care workers to receive vaccinations by 2020, which has prompted some providers to mandate the vaccine for their employees. Modern Healthcare.
Business That Drop Health Care Coverage Could Face Backlash
Small businesses or those that depend on low-wage workers might drop health coverage for employees and instead pay penalties under the Affordable Care Act. However, experts warn that such a decision could trigger a backlash from higher-income workers whose out-of-pocket costs would increase. Bloomberg.