Latest California Healthline Stories
ACA Opponents Planning To Impede Implementation
Although opponents of the Affordable Care Act admit that President Obama’s re-election ensures that the law will be fully implemented, some Republicans are planning a series of initiatives aimed at dismantling parts of the law or slowing its progress, according to a senior Senate Republican aide. For example, House Majority Leader Rep. Eric Cantor has said that Republicans could successfully repeal the law’s Independent Payment Advisory Board. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
CHA, Other Groups To Push for Medicaid Payment Reform
The California Hospital Association is helping to form a coalition to support reforming Medicaid reimbursements amid expectations that implementation of the Affordable Care Act will continue during President Obama’s second term. Payers & Providers.
S.F. To Cover Transgender Surgery for Uninsured
On Tuesday, the San Francisco Health Commission voted to drop sex reassignment surgery from a list of procedures not covered under the Healthy San Francisco universal health care plan. Uninsured transgender residents now will have access to surgeries such as mastectomies and genital reconstruction, as well as hormone drugs, counseling and other routine health services, at no cost. AP/Contra Costa Times.
Obama Administration To Accelerate Work on ACA Implementation
Over the next 11 months, the Obama administration is expected to release a raft of guidance and regulations to ensure that key provisions of the Affordable Care Act are ready for implementation before the reform law takes full effect on Jan. 1, 2014. AP/Sacramento Bee et al.
President, GOP Leaders Begin Talks To Avoid Medicare Payment Cuts
Yesterday, President Obama started negotiating with Republican lawmakers to avoid mandated spending cuts under sequestration. The sequester involves about $1 trillion in cuts overall, including a 2% reduction to Medicare reimbursement rates in 2013. Washington Post et al.
Stanislaus County Addresses Spike in Mental Health Costs
On Tuesday, the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to approve a quarterly report with fiscal year budget adjustments, which include using an extra fund balance of $1.5 million to cover an increase in mental health hospitalization costs. So far this fiscal year, the number of county residents admitted to Doctors Behavior Health Center is 35% higher than the original budget estimated. Modesto Bee.
Opinion: Medicare, Other Key Issues Bypassed in Election
Los Angeles Times columnist Michael Hiltzik argues that some of the “most important issues” to voters — such as protecting Medicare “from harm” — “may be heading to the back burner after having only momentarily made it to the front” during the election. According to Hiltzik, the issues “flitted by” in presidential nominees’ “stump speeches and the three debates faster than you can say ‘attention span.'” Los Angeles Times.
Consumer Watchdog Promotes 2014 Health Plan Regulation Measure
Consumer Watchdog has begun promoting a 2014 ballot measure that would give the state insurance commissioner the authority to approve or reject health insurance rate changes. On Wednesday, the group sent an email seeking financial contributions for the measure. Los Angeles Times.
L.A. County Voters Approve Adult Film Condom Mandate
On Tuesday, Los Angeles County residents approved a ballot initiative — Measure B — that requires all actors in adult films produced in the county to use condoms and adult film studios and producers to obtain health permits. On Wednesday, an industry trade group said it would file a lawsuit against the county because it believes the measure is unconstitutional. Reuters.
California Democrats Pick Up Supermajority in Legislature
Although several legislative races in swing districts still are up in the air, it appears that California Democrats have picked up a supermajority in both houses of the Legislature. The two-thirds majority gives Democrats the ability to raise taxes, override vetoes by Gov. Brown, bypass legislative rules and deadlines, and put constitutions reforms before voters. San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”