Latest California Healthline Stories
Study: Affordable Rx Drugs Remain Issue for Americans
The percentage of U.S. residents who faced problems affording prescription drugs stayed level between 2007 and 2010, according to a new study from the Center for Studying Health System Change. The study found that more than one in eight U.S. residents went without a prescribed medication last year. According to the study, about 48% of the uninsured residents in fair or poor health had unmet prescription needs because of cost issues, which was nearly twice as high the rate of insured individuals with similar health statuses. Modern Healthcare.
Officials Working To Curb Increasing Violence at State Mental Hospitals
Mental health and criminal justice officials are seeking ways to reduce acts of violence committed by patients in California’s mental hospitals. About 90% of such patients have been sent there via the criminal justice system. NPR’s “Morning Edition.”
Two California Nursing Homes Fined in Patient Deaths
On Monday, the California Department of Public Health announced that it has fined two Orange County nursing homes in the deaths of patients who received “inadequate care.” Newport Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Newport Beach was fined $100,000 after a patient fell while using the bathroom unsupervised. Emeritus at Yorba Linda was fined $90,000 after an unintended patient choked on a piece of meat. The facilities received the most serious citations possible. Orange County Register.
California Nabs $118M To Bolster Pre-Existing Condition Insurance
California will receive an additional $118 million in federal funding to help expand enrollment in the state’s Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan. Without the extra federal funding, state officials would have capped enrollment at 6,800 through the end of 2013. Sacramento Bee.
HHS To Let States Set Essential Benefits for Insurance Exchanges
The Obama administration has issued a bulletin indicating that the federal government would give states the flexibility to determine the “essential benefits” that health plans in state insurance exchanges must cover under the federal health reform law. New York Times et al.
Senate OKs Tax Break, Two-Month Delay for Medicare Payment Cut
On Saturday, the Senate passed an amended version of a House bill to extend a payroll tax break and delay for two months a scheduled cut to Medicare physician payments. However, House Republicans might reject the amended bill because of its short-term time span. Modern Healthcare et al.
Opinion: California’s Role Is Vital to Reform Law’s Success
“It’s not flashy, but real progress is being made in getting Californians new health care options, protections, and benefits under the [federal health reform law], and in getting California ready for the bulk of reform in 2014,” Anthony Wright — executive director of the advocacy group Health Access — writes in a Payers & Providers opinion piece. He adds, “But this progress doesn’t mean we can slow down — it means we are building momentum as we speed up.” Wright concludes, “The entire health industry in California has a stake in making [the reform law] work. We need all parts of our health care system to work to fulfill the promise of reform.” Payers & Providers.
State Prison Population Has Dropped by 8,000 Under Realignment Plan
The number of inmates in California prisons has fallen by about 8,000 since October. Earlier this year, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a ruling that the state must reduce its prison population to address poor inmate medical care. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Stanford University Reports Hospital Finances for FY 2011
On Friday, Stanford University reported its fiscal year 2011 financial results that include the university, Stanford Hospital and Clinics, and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford. Net assets of the hospitals for FY 2011 increased by $589 million from the previous year to $2.6 billion, and the hospitals had a combined operating surplus of $259 million. Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal.
CVS Caremark To Pay State $7M To Settle Pension Fraud Claims
CVS Caremark will pay nearly $20 million to settle three lawsuits alleging that the company defrauded pension systems in California, Florida and Illinois. CalPERS will receive about $7 million. Los Angeles Times‘ “Money & Company,” Sacramento Bee.