Latest California Healthline Stories
Report: Outreach for Reform Should Target Underserved
A report says that the state’s Health Benefit Exchange board should reach out to minority and underserved populations who could benefit most from the online health plan marketplace but have lower rates of Internet access. Asian Journal, New America Media.
Health Industry Seeks To Shape Development of Insurance Exchanges
Health care industry stakeholders have sent HHS thousands of comments in an effort to influence the regulations governing health insurance exchanges. For example, America’s Health Insurance Plans has urged HHS to let states set final rules. Washington Post et al.
Supermarket Chain Ending Some Retiree Health Benefits
Raley’s supermarket chain will stop offering health care coverage to retired hourly employees ages 65 and older beginning in July 2012. In a letter to retirees, Raley’s President and CEO Michael Teel said the chain is finding it difficult to maintain profitability while dealing with the economic downturn and increasing health care costs. Jerry Landers, Raley’s senior director of human resources, said the chain still will provide medical benefits for retirees younger than age 65. Sacramento Bee.
California Health Care Personnel News Update for October 2011
Tom Jackiewicz is stepping down from his position as CEO of UC-San Diego Health to join the University of Southern California as senior vice president and CEO of USC Health. Meanwhile, Diana Bontá has been named president and CEO of the California Wellness Foundation.
Budget Aides Downplay Shortfall in State’s General Fund Revenue
Assembly budget aides say the state is placing too much emphasis on a lag in first-quarter revenue. Additional budget cuts could be triggered if the state believes it will miss revenue targets. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert,” San Diego Union-Tribune.
Legislation Aims To Repeal Reform Law’s CLASS Program
On Wednesday, Sen. John Thune introduced a bill to repeal the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act created by the federal health reform law. Thune said the long-term health care program is “destined to fail” and Congress “ought to repeal it.” In a letter sent to Thune on Monday, the Congressional Budget Office stated that repealing the CLASS Act would have no effect on the federal deficit. Also on Wednesday, AARP and more than 50 disability rights groups, unions and other advocacy organizations sent a letter to lawmakers urging them not to repeal the CLASS Act, reiterating the need for a long-term health care program. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of November 4, 2011
This week, Kaiser Permanente opened its new $550 million medical center in Ontario. Meanwhile, Victor Valley Community Hospital has reached an agreement in bankruptcy court to let Prime Healthcare Services assume daily management of the hospital through a consulting deal.
Opinion: Autism Treatment Coverage Law ‘Inequitable’
A new law requiring insurers to cover an autism treatment called applied behavioral analysis is “inequitable, as it exempts large numbers of Californians from coverage,” Henry Loubet — chief strategy officer for Keenan & Associates and a Payers & Providers editorial board member — writes in a Payers & Providers opinion piece. According to Loubet, the law “exempts from coverage plans provided to the approximately 1.3 [million] enrollees in the enormous California Public Employees Retirement System” because it “imposes an additional annual cost of about $850 million on private health plans [but] allows CalPERS to simply ignore the issue entirely.” Loubet concludes, “I strongly urge the Legislature to revisit this imbalance in SB 946 and correct a law that not only impacts private industry but also the families and children of public employees.” Payers & Providers.
State Governors Call for Federal Help in Setting Up Benefit Exchanges
On Wednesday, the National Governors Association sent a letter urging HHS to provide more support to states as they establish health insurance exchanges. The letter argues that some of the health reform law regulations governing exchanges could usurp states’ autonomy. Reuters.
FDA Reports Near-Record Number of Rx Drug Approvals
In a report released Thursday, FDA said it approved 35 drugs in the previous year, the second-highest number in the past decade. According to the report, 24 of those drugs were made available to U.S. consumers before they became available in other countries. The agency has faced criticism from some drugmakers that say FDA’s slow review process stifles innovation and drives companies to Europe, while some consumer advocates say the agency sacrifices safety for speed. FDA officials say the data highlight the need for legislation to continue financing the approval process with user fees. New York Times et al.