Latest California Healthline Stories
HHS Sets New Deadline for Adopting Medical Billing Code System
Yesterday, HHS released a proposed rule that calls for delaying the ICD-10 compliance deadline by one year, to Oct. 1, 2014. The proposed rule also includes a provision to assign a unique health plan identifier number to all health insurers. Modern Healthcare et al.
Editorial Calls on Lawmakers To Clarify Medical Pot Laws
A Los Angeles Times editorial argues that “the vagueness of state law and conflicting judicial interpretations make it well nigh impossible for anyone in California to be in clear and unambiguous compliance” with medical marijuana regulations. The editorial calls on California lawmakers to “stop waiting” and “fill in the many blanks” in the state’s medical marijuana laws. Los Angeles Times.
Task Force Calls for Overhaul of California Mental Health Law
A task force is seeking changes to a 1967 state mental health law. The task force is calling for several reforms, including broadening the terms of involuntary commitment and standardizing how the law is applied. Los Angeles Times.
UC-Davis Study Links Obesity During Pregnancy to Autism
A new UC-Davis study published in the journal Pediatrics finds that women who are obese are 70% more likely to have a child with autism and twice as likely to have a child with other types of developmental delays as normal-weight women with normal blood pressure and no diabetes. Sacramento Bee, Los Angeles Times.
Opinion Piece Faults Health Reform Law for Cost Shifting
In a Los Angeles Times opinion piece, William Voegeli — senior editor of the Claremont Review of Books, author and visiting scholar at Claremont McKenna College’s Salvatori Center — writes that “the rationale” for including the individual mandate in the federal health reform law “is to prevent ‘cost shifting’ — from people who could purchase health insurance policies but don’t to people who already have insurance.” However, he writes, the law is “curtailed not to avert harm to others but to provide benefits for others.” According to Voegeli, “Under the guise of preventing cost shifting, that is, Obamacare commits cost shifting.” Los Angeles Times.
Thomas Criticizes Other Justices for Questioning During Reform Law Case
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas recently criticized his colleagues for asking too many questions during oral arguments on the health reform law. Thomas said that he believes such questioning impedes attorneys’ ability to argue their cases. The Hill‘s “Blog Briefing Room” et al.
Low Participation Hurts Efficacy of Calif. Rx Drug Monitoring Program
Experts say that low participation in California’s prescription drug monitoring program has hindered its ability to combat prescription drug misuse. Budget cuts have eliminated nearly all state funding for the program, and physicians say the system is slow and needs upgrades. New York Times.
Full Tax Compliance Could Solve State’s Budget Deficit
California could close its $9.2 billion budget deficit if taxpayers paid what they owe, according to recent estimates. The California Franchise Tax Board estimates that $10 billion in state income taxes go unpaid annually, while the state Board of Equalization reports that an additional $2.3 billion in sales and uses taxes go unpaid each year. Sacramento Bee.
UC-Berkeley Nabs $4M Grant To Teach Health Researchers
UC-Berkeley has received a five-year, $4 million NIH grant to train and teach global health researchers to study how diseases affect people living in slums. UC-Berkeley will partner with Florida International University, Stanford University and Yale University on the training initiative. NIH also is providing funding for a separate academic consortium that includes UC-Davis and UC-San Francisco, which will launch a similar training program. San Francisco Business Times.
New Claims Format Cause of Processing Delays, Gold Coast Says
Gold Coast Health Plan officials say delays in processing claims are the result of billing companies adapting to new electronic claims requirements. The federal government will enforce the shift to the 5010 format in July. Ventura County Star.