Latest California Healthline Stories
Calif. Veterans Express Frustration Over Claims Processing Backlog
At a recent forum, veterans highlighted claims processing problems at the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Oakland office. It takes the office an average of 320 days to process disability claims, and nearly 40% of disability claims were processed incorrectly, according to an audit. Los Angeles Times.
CDC Urges One-Time Hepatitis C Test for Baby Boomers
On Friday, CDC recommended that baby boomers — U.S. residents born between 1945 and 1965 — receive a one-time voluntary test for hepatitis C, which the department said could identify 800,000 new cases and prevent 120,000 deaths. Baby boomers make up more than two million of the 3.2 million U.S. residents who have hepatitis C. AP/New York Times, Washington Post.
Calif. Lawmakers Push Reform Bills as State Awaits SCOTUS Decision
California lawmakers are trying to advance several bills that would implement health reform even if the U.S. Supreme Court decides to strike down the overhaul. One proposed measure would establish a state-run Basic Health Plan for low-income residents. Sacramento Business Journal.
Report: 36% of Prescriptions Sent Electronically in 2011
A new report from Surescripts finds that 36% of U.S. prescriptions were sent electronically by the end of 2011. The report also found that about 58% of office-based physicians were electronically prescribing by the end of last year. According to Surescripts, e-prescribing helps increase the likelihood that patients will pick up new prescriptions. AP/San Francisco Chronicle, Healthcare IT News.
Medical Price Increases Fuel Rise in Health Care Spending, Report Finds
A Health Care Cost Institute study finds that health care spending by privately insured U.S. residents rose between 2009 and 2010, primarily because the prices of services increased. Prices for some medical services rose about five times faster than overall inflation. Politico et al.
Mobile Technology Poses Security Risks to Health Data, According to DHS
A report from the Department of Homeland Security finds that the health care industry’s adoption of mobile technology poses certain security risks to patient data. The report offers recommendations to boost health care organizations’ data security. Government Computer News et al.
Editorial Urges ‘No’ Vote on Richmond Soda Tax Initiative
A San Francisco Chronicle editorial argues that residents of Richmond should vote “no” on a November ballot measure to implement a 1-cent per ounce tax on sugar-sweetened drinks. The tax is intended to curb the city’s high child obesity rate. According to the editorial, the ballot initiative “is not likely to cause many residents to stop drinking sodas” but instead “might cause them to buy in bulk in neighboring towns” or seek out “other goodies that contribute to obesity.” San Francisco Chronicle.
Insurance Rate Regulation Plan Moves Closer to Ballot
On Friday, California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones and Consumer Watchdog officials submitted to state officials 800,000 voter signatures for a proposed ballot measure that would give the state greater regulatory authority over health insurance rates. At least 504,760 valid signatures are necessary to qualify the measure for the November ballot. A coalition of hospitals, physicians and other stakeholders oppose the measure. Sacramento Bee et al.
Study: Reform Law Would Have Added 100,000 State Jobs in 2010
A new Bay Area Council Economic Institute report finds that the federal health reform law would have contributed $4.4 billion to California’s economy and generated nearly 100,000 jobs in the state if it were fully implemented in 2010. KPCC’s “KPCC News,” BACEI release.
LAO Takes Issue With Brown’s Budget Furlough Proposal
A proposal in Gov. Brown’s revised fiscal year 2012-2013 budget plan to shift most state workers — including state hospital employees — to a four-day, 38-hour workweek would create some serious problems, according to an analysis released Friday by the Legislative Analyst’s Office. According to LAO, the plan would deter employees from using much of their leave, which would increase the state’s deferred costs; would affect intergovernmental agency interactions; and may not reduce energy costs. Sacramento Bee‘s “The State Worker.”