Latest California Healthline Stories
Low-Income Health Program Launches in 34 Calif. Counties
On Jan. 1, California’s County Medical Services Program launched the Path2Health project to expand health insurance coverage to an additional 30,000 low-income adults in 34 mostly rural California counties. The project is part of California’s “Bridge to Reform” Medi-Cal waiver, which aims to expand health coverage to help the state prepare for coming changes under the federal health reform law. Path2Health covers primary care, hospital care and pharmacy services, as well as limited dental and vision care, for adults in the 34 counties with annual incomes at or below 100% of the federal poverty level. Eureka Times Standard, Chico Enterprise-Record.
State Meets First Goal To Trim Inmate Population To Improve Health Care
California has met its initial court-imposed target to reduce the state’s prison population by about 10,000 inmates by the end of 2011. Federal courts ordered California to reduce its prison population in an effort to improve health care for inmates. AP/Washington Post.
HHS Must Review Coverage in Exchanges, Editorial States
A Sacramento Bee editorial states that the creation of state health insurance exchanges under the federal health reform law raises a “vexing, politically charged question: What health benefits should insurance companies that participate in the state exchanges be required to cover?” The editorial notes that the Obama administration recently announced that it would give states flexibility in determining their own “essential health benefits” package. It adds that such an approach “will be successful only if the [HHS] secretary reviews each state’s essential health benefits package and holds each state accountable for coverage.” Sacramento Bee.
Obama Signs Two-Month Reprieve for Medicare Reimbursement Cuts
On Dec. 23, President Obama signed a two-month payroll tax cut extension that includes a two-month delay to scheduled Medicare payment cuts for physicians. A conference committee is expected to resume work on a longer-term deal. New York Times et al.
Condom Mandate for Adult Films Qualifies for L.A. Ballot
A proposed measure that would require adult film actors to wear condoms while filming in Los Angeles has qualified for the June ballot, according to the Los Angeles City Clerk’s office. The proposed initiative still is facing a legal challenge by the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office, which argued that only the state — not the city — can legally impose rules requiring the use of condoms in adult films. Ged Kenslea — spokesperson for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the ballot initiative’s main supporter — said AHF believes the measure will withstand the legal challenge. Los Angeles Times.
Judge Blocks Medi-Cal Reimbursement Cuts for Skilled Nursing Services
A federal judge has issued two preliminary injunctions to prevent California from cutting Medi-Cal payment rates for hospital-based skilled nursing care and to block Medi-Cal cuts to managed care and pharmacy services. The state plans to appeal the rulings. Bloomberg et al.
Mexican State Partners With UC-Davis To Improve Care
UC-Davis Health System has signed a memorandum of understanding with the state of Sinaloa, Mexico, for a partnership to improve access to care for its three million residents, 27% of whom live in rural settings. The partnership will concentrate on sharing data and research on telehealth, scientific and technical development, as well as on neurological disorders. Sacramento Business Journal, Modern Healthcare.
Blue Shield To Pay $2M To Settle Lawsuit Over Coverage Rescissions
Blue Shield of California has agreed to pay $2 million to settle a Los Angeles lawsuit claiming that the insurer improperly rescinded health insurance policies after members sought costly medical care. Blue Shield admitted no wrongdoing in the settlement. Los Angeles Times et al.
Several Health-Related Laws Take Effect in Calif. With Start of New Year
Some of the health-related laws scheduled to take effect this year in California include measures related to the sale of over-the-counter cough medicine, the use of tanning beds among minors and the safety of student athletes suspected of sustaining concussions. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Study: About 7M Calif. Residents Lacked Health Insurance in 2010
A new study from the California HealthCare Foundation finds that about seven million Californians younger than age 65 lacked health insurance in 2010, including one million children. No other state had as many uninsured residents. Ventura County Star.