Latest California Healthline Stories
Sierra Health Foundation Doles Out $683,868 in Grants
Sierra Health Foundation announced that it has awarded 34 grants worth up to $25,000 each to support programs aimed at boosting health and well-being in 19 Northern California counties. So far this year, the foundation has awarded $1.2 million in grants for a variety of health-related programs. Sacramento Business Journal.
School Lunch Rules Help Curb Obesity in Calif., Other States
Upgrades in federal nutrition standards at U.S. schools have helped reduce childhood obesity rates in several cities and states, including California, according to reports by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Center for Science in the Public Interest. The report found that obesity and overweight rates for California children in fifth, seventh and ninth grades decreased from 38.44% in 2005 to 38% in 2010. USA Today.
1.2M Californians Lost Job-Based Insurance From 2009 to 2011
A new study finds that about 1.2 million state residents lost their employer-based health insurance coverage from 2009 to 2011. According to the study, enrollment in state insurance plans increased during that time. Los Angeles Times.
Poll Finds Support for Prop. 30 Below 50% for First Time
Public support for Proposition 30 — the November ballot tax hike measure that Gov. Brown developed with supporters of the “Millionaires Tax” — has fallen below 50% for the first time, to 48%, according to a new poll conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California. Forty-four percent of poll respondents said they oppose the measure. Brown attributed the poll results to low voter awareness and pledged to do “everything that’s humanly possible” to inform voters. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
DMHC, Health Group Reach Settlement Over Patient Care Decisions
The Department of Managed Health Care has reached a settlement with Accountable Health Care IPA over allegations that the group allowed non-medical staff to make patient care decisions. The deal requires an investigation of Accountable’s practices. Payers & Providers.
Romney Would Face Challenges Repealing Health Reform Law
If elected, GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney likely would face difficulty fulfilling his pledge to repeal the Affordable Care Act. However, Romney could employ several strategies to obstruct or delay the law’s implementation. Washington Times, The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Report: ACA Provision Curbed Some Health Insurance Rate Hikes
A Kaiser Family Foundation report finds that in 2011, one in five health insurance premium hike proposals resulted in a lower hike or no increase. The federal health law requires insurers to submit certain rate hike proposals for state or federal review. Modern Healthcare, KFF report.
CalPERS Files Formal Objection to Bankruptcy Claim by San Bernardino
CalPERS has filed a formal objection to San Bernardino’s efforts to seek bankruptcy protection. In the filing, CalPERS says that the dispute over the city’s eligibility for bankruptcy should be deferred until city officials can produce credible financial records. Reuters.
Calif. Officials To Start Regaining Control of Prison Health System
Federal officials soon will begin returning control of California’s prison health system to the state. They say the state first will assume select duties and could have full control of the system within two years. Los Angeles Times, KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Republicans Seeking IRS Records of ACA Subsidies
Three Republicans on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee have sent a letter to the Internal Revenue Service saying they will issue subpoenas if the agency does not submit more records about how it is implementing the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance subsidies. Committee Chair Darrell Issa and Reps. Scott DesJarlais and Trey Gowdy have given IRS until Thursday to release the records before launching a “compulsory process,” which could include the subpoenas. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”