Latest California Healthline Stories
Reconciliation Measure Cutting Entitlement Spending Clears House
The House has approved a budget reconciliation bill that would override automatic spending cuts and reduce entitlement spending. The bill would cut the federal Medicaid match to states and impose stricter eligibility standards. Washington Times et al.
HHS Releases Final Rules To Ease Regulations for Health Care Providers
Yesterday, HHS released two final rules designed to eliminate unnecessary, outdated and duplicative regulations on health care providers. Federal officials estimate that the changes would generate more than $5 billion in savings over five years. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
Study Finds Hunger, Food Issues in Sacramento County
Nearly 16% of Sacramento County residents have limited or uncertain access to nutritionally adequate and safe food, and the demand for services from area food banks increased by 20% in 2011, according to a new study by the Sacramento Hunger Coalition and other not-for-profit groups. The report — which was funded by USDA and the Sierra Health Foundation — urges county leaders to avoid further funding cuts to human services and develop public education programs about hunger. Sacramento Bee.
Study: Millions of Small Businesses Not Claiming Reform Law Tax Credits
A study by Families USA and the Small Business Majority finds that millions of small businesses have not taken advantage of a tax credit under the federal health reform law designed to help them provide health coverage to their employees. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” CQ HealthBeat.
Report: California Health Care Spending Grows, Rate Slows
California’s health care spending increased by nearly 300% from 1991 to 2009, according to a California HealthCare Foundation report. However, the report finds that the pace of growth has decelerated since 2003. Los Angeles Times‘ “Money & Co.”
Key Leadership Changes on O.C.’s CalOptima Board
On Tuesday, Cal-Optima Vice Chair James McAleer, CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association of Orange County, announced his resignation as investigations continue into allegations of improper dealings by Edward Kacic, then-chair of CalOptima’s board. CalOptima is Orange County’s Medi-Cal managed care plan. During a meeting following McAleer’s announcement, the board voted 6-3 to remove Kacic as chair of the board and named Orange County Health Agency Director Mark Refowitz as interim chair. Payers & Providers.
Brown Administration Plans To Cut State Worker Costs by $750M
Officials from Gov. Brown’s administration have met with union leaders to discuss strategies for making $750 million in cuts to state worker costs, such as raising worker contributions to health care benefits. Sacramento Bee‘s “The State Worker,” Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal.”
Proposed Rule Would Boost Medicaid Pay for Primary Care Physicians
Yesterday, HHS released a proposed rule that would increase Medicaid reimbursements for primary care physicians over two years. Under the proposal, which stems from the health reform law, the federal government would cover the entire cost of the increase. Washington Post et al.
CalHIPSO Helping More Than 7,700 Health Care Providers Adopt EHRs
The California Health Information Partnership and Services Organization has signed up more than 7,700 health care providers seeking to adopt electronic health records. It says members have earned more than $65 million in federal incentive payments. Healthcare IT News et al.
Health Plans Could Offer New ‘Specialty’ Rx Strategies
As more patients begin using costly “specialty” drugs, many employer-based insurance plans could begin to offer new ways to manage the high cost of the medications. One strategy that employers might use is value-based insurance design, which ties employees’ costs to the value of medical services, making treatments that are seen as providing important clinical benefits less costly to workers. Kaiser Health News/Washington Post.