Latest California Healthline Stories
Some Question ACA’s Fate Ahead of Special Legislative Session
Some opponents of the Affordable Care Act say that legal challenges still could impede the law as California prepares for a special session on implementing the ACA’s provisions. However, other experts say that the law already has overcome its biggest hurdles. San Francisco Chronicle.
$8.36B in Meaningful Use Pay Distributed as of October
As of the end of October, an estimated $8.36 billion in meaningful use incentive payments had been distributed to 165,800 eligible hospitals and health care providers, according to CMS officials. Under the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, health care providers who demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health record systems can qualify for Medicaid and Medicare incentive payments. Government Health IT et al.
Affordable Care Act Still Faces Legal Challenges, Resistance From States
Three lawsuits pending in federal court seek to challenge the Affordable Care Act’s insurance mandates and subsidies. Meanwhile, many Republican-led states are pushing back against ACA provisions that call for the creation of health insurance exchanges. Politico, CQ HealthBeat.
State Pulls More Than $3M in Contracts From Mental Health Network
The Department of Mental Health and the California Mental Health Services Authority have pulled more than $3 million in contracts from the California Network of Mental Health Clients over allegations of mismanagement and misappropriation of funds. Sacramento Bee.
Southern California Hospitals Collaborate on Disaster Planning
Southern California hospitals are collaborating on plans to continue operating during disasters. For example, if one facility cannot manage its patients, plans are in place to send the patients to nearby hospitals. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
SCAN Seeks To Improve Members’ Health Literacy
SCAN Health Plan, a Medicare Advantage health insurer in Long Beach, has launched an internal training program for its employees to identify the health literacy needs of its 130,000 members and to align its communications accordingly. The program seeks to match initiatives launched by HHS and the Institutes of Medicine to improve health care communication. Payers & Providers.
Kaiser Permanente Sees Big Jump in Q3 2012 Net Income
Last week, Kaiser Permanente reported a net income of $803 million for the third quarter of 2012, marking a significant improvement from a net loss of $45 million during the same period in 2011. Kaiser also reported that operating income increased by 75%, from $320 million in Q3 2011 to $561 million in Q3 2012, while total operating revenue increased from $11.9 billion to $12.7 billion during the same time period. Sacramento Business Journal.
Report Links Physician-Prescribed Drugs to Deaths in Southern Calif.
An analysis from the Los Angeles Times finds that in nearly half of prescription drug overdoses in four Southern California counties from 2006 through 2011, at least one physician-prescribed medication contributed to or was the sole cause of an individual’s death. Los Angeles Times.
Obama, Boehner Could Compromise To Address Looming Medicare Cuts
Last week, President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner said they are willing to work together to avoid the “fiscal cliff” of mandated spending cuts under sequestration. The sequester includes a 2% cut to Medicare provider reimbursement rates in 2013. Wall Street Journal et al.
Contra Costa Nabs $1.36M Grant To Cut Insurance Fraud
On Friday, Contra Costa County District Attorney Mark Peterson announced that the county has received a $1.36 million state grant to fund efforts to fight disability, health insurance, workers’ compensation and other types of fraud. The grant will be used to pay the salaries and benefits of legal and investigative staff, who will collaborate with several state agencies. Contra Costa Times.