Latest California Healthline Stories
WellPoint Announces $4.9B Deal To Acquire Amerigroup
On Monday, WellPoint — the second largest U.S. health insurer and parent company of California’s Anthem Blue Cross — announced a deal to acquire Amerigroup, a Medicaid managed care company. The $4.9 billion all-cash acquisition would make WellPoint the largest Medicaid administrator in the U.S., giving the insurer a total of 4.5 million beneficiaries in 19 states. Los Angeles Times.
Contra Costa OKs Two-Year Deal To Raise Nurses’ Pay
On Tuesday, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors finalized a contract with local nurses that includes a 3% pay raise over two years. Under the agreement, nurses will not have to pay more for their health care and pension benefits, but retirement benefits for new nurses will be scaled back and retired nurses will be required to sign up for Medicare when they turn 65. Contra Costa Times.
Opinion: Big Employers Offer Lessons for Benefit Exchange
In a Sacramento Bee opinion piece, Bill Kramer — executive director of national health policy for the Pacific Business Group on Health — and David Chase — director of the Sacramento office of Small Business Majority — argue that the state can learn from large employers as it launches the California Health Benefit Exchange. They write, “Large employers have years of experience in developing systems and tools needed to improve quality and affordability in the health care market so their employees get a better value for the dollars they spend.” Sacramento Bee.
Partnership Seeks To Bolster Patient-Centered Medical Homes in Calif.
The California Primary Care Association and health information technology firm Arcadia Solutions are partnering to spur development of patient-centered medical homes. The initiative aims to reduce the time it takes health systems to achieve PCMH recognition by 30%. Healthcare IT News.
President Signs Bill To Reauthorize, Modify FDA User-Fee Programs
Yesterday, President Obama signed into law a bill that reauthorizes and modifies FDA’s prescription drug and medical device user-fee programs. The legislation includes provisions to address drug shortages and improve drug supply chain safety. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Fresno County Lacks Long-Term Mental Health Care
Since 2005, Fresno County has lacked a long-term mental care facility for adults. As a result, some Fresno County adults with severe mental illnesses have been staying in a 16-bed psychiatric hospital for months while waiting for long-term care facilities to become available. Other mental health patients continually return to emergency departments and a new psychiatric crisis center. Fresno Bee.
SDSU Researchers Identify Protein To Ward Off Influenza
Researchers — led by Joy Phillips of San Diego State University’s Donald P. Shiley BioScience Center — have identified a protein — EP67 — that could significantly reduce symptoms associated with influenza, according to a study published in the journal PLoS One last week. Phillips said she now wants to study the protein’s ability to fight other diseases, such as valley fever and Cryptococcus. California Watch.
Judge Rules Against Munger on Verifications for November Ballot
In response to a lawsuit filed by attorney Molly Munger, a judge ruled that election officials acted properly when verifying signatures for November ballot measures. A tax group now is opposing a ballot-reordering measure. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
John Muir Health Begins Launching $300M EHR
John Muir Health — an independent health system based in the San Francisco Bay Area — has begun implementing a $300 million electronic health record system. The cost includes training, installation and other related expenses. Cal Knight, president and CEO of John Muir, said the organization has chosen Epic Systems as the main vendor for the project. San Francisco Business Times.
CMS Taps Six California Organizations for Latest Round of ACO Program
Six California groups are among the 89 new accountable care organizations selected for CMS’ Medicare Shared Savings Program. The additions bring the total number of Medicare ACOs to 154. CMS plans to accept new ACO applications annually. San Francisco Business Times et al.