Latest California Healthline Stories
Mercy Opens New Imaging, Cancer Centers in Sacramento
Last week, Mercy Sacramento officially opened the new Mercy Cancer Center and Mercy Imaging Center in east Sacramento to provide patients with oncology diagnostic imaging and treatment services in one central location. The centers — which together cost $20 million and were built adjacent to each other — also provide outpatient services such as radiation and other therapies. The imaging center began accepting new patients last month, and the cancer center is expected to be fully operational this month. Sacramento Bee.
L.A. Gives Final Approval to Adult Film Condom Mandate
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles City Council voted 9-1 to grant final approval to an ordinance mandating that adult film producers provide condoms and require actors to wear them during filming in order to receive film permits. Under the new policy, which will take effect in 90 days, adult film producers also will have to pay a fee to cover the cost of enforcement and unannounced inspections. Los Angeles Times, New York Times.
Editorial Slams UC’s Plan To Ban Smoking on All Campuses
A Los Angeles Times editorial argues that although “smoking is a detestable, dangerous habit,” it is “also a legal one, and there is plenty to say in defense of allowing adults to make bad decisions if they’re not breaking the law or harming others.” It adds, “The University of California should have taken that into account before UC President Mark G. Yudof announced that all 10 campuses would become smoke- and tobacco-free within two years.” The editorial concludes, “The vast majority of UC students are 18 or older,” and “as long as their activities aren’t illegal, dangerous to others or imminently life-threatening, … the university should steer clear of outright bans.” Los Angeles Times.
Advocates Warn Reform Law Might Negatively Affect HIV/AIDS Patients
Patient advocates are expressing concern that the federal health reform law might unintentionally have negative effects on programs that serve Californians living with HIV or AIDS. Advocates also say they are concerned with cuts to the programs’ budgets. HealthyCal.
Judge: Federal Oversight of Calif. Prison Medical System Can End
On Tuesday, a judge said that the federal receivership that has overseen California’s prison medical system for six years can end. The judge said prison conditions have improved and the state can move forward with plans to sustain the progress. Bloomberg et al.
Former Workers File Suit Over Patient Care Issues at Weight-Loss Centers
Two former employees of weight-loss surgery centers in California have filed a lawsuit that claims clinics billed insurance companies for procedures that were not performed and made mistakes that contributed to a patient’s death in 2011. Los Angeles Times.
Supreme Court Allows NFIB To Add Plaintiffs to Health Reform Law Case
Yesterday, the Supreme Court agreed to allow the National Federation of Independent Business to add two more plaintiffs to a multistate lawsuit challenging the federal health reform law. Meanwhile, leading Democrats have filed a brief defending the overhaul. Modern Healthcare et al.
Lawmakers Seek Smooth Passage of Longer-Term Medicare ‘Doc Fix’ Bill
Democrats and Republicans both have agreed to concessions to facilitate the passage of a yearlong measure that would extend a payroll tax cut and delay scheduled reductions to Medicare physician reimbursements. The current two-month “doc fix” expires at the end of next month. New York Times et al.
Senate Panel Delays Vote on Single-Payer Health Care Bill
On Tuesday, the California Senate Appropriations Committee suspended until Thursday action on a bill that would create a single-payer health care system. The panel said it put the bill, by Sen. Mark Leno, on hold to give it further consideration after a legislative analysis found that it would cost $200 billion to $250 billion annually. The measure does not include any taxes or fees to offset the cost of the single-payer system, which would be run by a new state agency. However, Leno said the bill would reduce costs by eliminating private insurers as the middlemen. Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal” et al.
CMS Issues Proposed Rule To Revise Uncompensated Care
Last week, CMS issued a proposed rule that redefines the word “uninsured” for the purpose of calculating uncompensated care payments. Under the proposed rule, the definition of uninsured for purposes of reimbursement — known as disproportionate share hospital payments — would be based on whether patients had insurance coverage for the specific services they received at the hospital. In addition, any services provided that are not covered because they exceed a plan’s annual or lifetime limits would be deemed eligible for the DSH payments. CMS is accepting public comment on the proposal for 30 days. Modern Healthcare.