Latest California Healthline Stories
HP, Blue Shield Sign 5-Year Agreement To Improve Care
Hewlett-Packard’s Enterprise Services division and Blue Shield of California have signed a five-year contract agreement that will give Blue Shield access to new services from HP to improve health care affordability and efficiency. In addition, HP will continue to provide Blue Shield with technology infrastructure and other support. Financial details of the contract were not disclosed. Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal, Healthcare IT News.
Providence Health’s Hospital-Doctor Alliance Sees High Participation
Providence Health & Services’ alliance for hospitals and physicians has garnered significant response since it was announced last fall. Nearly 670 physicians have agreed to participate, higher than estimates that 250 would participate. Payers & Providers.
Calif. Pre-Existing Condition Plan Enrollment Ranks Highest in U.S.
Federal data show that enrollment in California’s Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan is the highest in the nation. As of Nov. 30, 2011, more than 4,900 Californians had enrolled in PCIP, according to the federal statistics. Sacramento Business Journal.
Supreme Court Cases Could Alter Federal Role in Medicaid
The outcomes of two Medicaid-related lawsuits before the U.S. Supreme Court could substantially change the federal government’s role in the program. In the first case — the multistate lawsuit challenging the federal health reform law — the plaintiffs argue that the Medicaid expansion, scheduled for 2014, coerces states to participate in the program. In the second case, which originated in California, the Supreme Court will determine whether individual beneficiaries and health care providers can sue states that make Medicaid cuts. Some legal observers say that if the Supreme Court rules in favor of the plaintiffs in both cases, federal law no longer will have significant influence on states’ Medicaid operations, such as eligibility decisions, coverage requirements and health care providers’ payments. Politico.
HHS Says 28 States Have Taken Steps on Health Benefit Exchanges
HHS has announced that 28 states have made progress in establishing health insurance exchanges under the health reform law. Some states have established their authority to set up the exchanges, while others have used executive orders to prepare for the exchanges. Reuters et al.
Calif. High Court To Review Local Medical Pot Bans
On Wednesday, the California Supreme Court agreed to review four lawsuits related to medical marijuana dispensaries and questions about local control. In one case, a lower state court ruled that Riverside had the right to ban dispensaries. The decision has been used by local governments throughout the state to shut down medical marijuana clinics in their areas. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Calif. Hospital Infection Rate Reports Likely Incomplete
Recent reports from the state Department of Public Health found that some hospital infection rates in California are nearly 50% lower than the national average. However, in-depth analyses in other states indicate that hospital-generated reports may include data on only about half of infections. California officials are reviewing the results of an in-depth infection reporting audit, but the state lacks the necessary funding to more closely monitor hospital-generated reports. California Watch.
Governor Stumps for Tax, Pension Initiatives in State of State Address
During his State of the State address on Wednesday, Gov. Brown highlighted his proposal to temporarily raise some sales and income taxes and his plan to change public worker pensions. He said higher taxes are needed to help stave off additional budget cuts. AP/ABC News et al.
Study: Obesity Rates Plateau, Show No Signs of Declining
After two decades of steady increases, U.S. obesity rates over the previous 12 years have remained at around 36% for adults and 17% among children, according to a new CDC study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The study found that from 2009 to 2010, more than 78 million adults and almost 13 million children ages two to 19 were obese. The researchers noted that they did not find any indication of a decline in obesity rates in any population group. New York Times‘ “Well” et al.
Enrollment in Medicaid, CHIP Remained Stable in 2011, Report Finds
A report by the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured and Georgetown University researchers finds that the number of residents covered under Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program remained relatively steady last year. National Journal, Modern Healthcare.