Latest California Healthline Stories
Revised Readmission Penalties To Affect Numerous Hospitals
CMS has discovered errors and revised its original calculations for the penalties that will be levied on hospitals for high readmission rates. As a result, more than 1,400 hospitals will receive smaller Medicare payments than they were expecting. Kaiser Health News et al.
Agency: Costs Depend on Implementation of Workers’ Comp Law
The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau has submitted a filing that recommends waiting to change premiums for workers’ compensation insurance until state officials implement a new law overhauling the workers’ compensation system. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Gov. Brown Signs, Vetoes Health Care Reform-Related Measures
Gov. Brown has signed several bills implementing health care reform in the state. He also has vetoed legislation that would have prevented insurers from denying coverage to patients with pre-existing conditions. Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento Bee.
Survey: Most Voters Back Proposition 37, but Are Swayed by Criticism
A poll finds that 76.8% of state voters support Proposition 37, a ballot measure that would require new labels for genetically engineered foods. Support fell when respondents were shown an advertisement opposing the measure. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
VSP Delays Filling New Jobs Amid Dispute With Exchange
On Friday, Vision Service Plan of Rancho Cordova said that it will fill 100 new temporary jobs but will delay filling 150 new permanent positions until a dispute with the California Health Benefit Exchange is resolved. In August, the exchange board voted not to allow stand-alone vision plans to be sold to individual customers in the exchange. Following the decision, VSP filed a protest with the board saying that most state residents receive vision insurance from a stand-alone company and that it was considering relocating to another state. Last month, the board indicated that it plans to reconsider its decision. Sacramento Bee.
Reports Find Drop in Physician Visits, Rise in Health Care Spending
A Census Bureau report finds that U.S. adults ages 18 to 64 had an average of 3.9 physician visits in 2010, down from 4.8 visits in 2001. Although physician visits have declined, health spending has risen over the past decade, a Department of Labor survey finds. New York Times et al.
Editorial Urges ‘Yes’ Vote on Prop. 30, ‘No’ on Prop. 38
A San Jose Mercury News editorial argues that “California’s financial stability may be at stake in this election,” adding that “[t]he wrong tax directing money in the wrong way could speed the state’s decline.” It states, “We recommend voting yes on Proposition 30” — developed by Gov. Brown and supporters of the “Millionaires Tax” — “and no on Proposition 38,” a rival tax hike plan by attorney Molly Munger. According to the editorial, Prop. 30 is “measured and sensible,” while Prop. 38 would “pile on bureaucracy and restrict flexibility” for using tax funds. San Jose Mercury News.
Repealing Health Reform Law Would Leave 72M Uninsured, Report Finds
About 72 million U.S. residents would be uninsured in 2022 under a GOP plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act, while about 27 million residents would be uninsured if the law is preserved, according to a Commonwealth Fund report. Modern Healthcare, CQ HealthBeat.
San Rafael Approves Tough New Smoking Regulations
On Monday, the San Rafael City Council approved an ordinance prohibiting smoking in all apartments and condominiums, as well as most public outdoor spaces such as parks, bus stops and restaurants. The new ordinance is considered to be one of the toughest in Marin County. Marin Independent Journal.
Group Files Lawsuit Against Law Banning Conversion Therapy
A legal-defense group has filed a federal lawsuit in Sacramento against a new state law banning sexual orientation conversion treatment for teens, arguing that the law undermines privacy rights and the U.S. Constitution. Another group is planning a separate lawsuit. Washington Times.