Latest California Healthline Stories
California Nurses Association Joins Occupy Oakland Protest
On Wednesday, members of the California Nurses Association joined the Occupy Oakland protests, which are part of the broader “Occupy Wall Street” protests over economic inequality in the U.S. CNA members said they joined the protests on behalf of individuals who have been forced to forgo medical care after losing their jobs. Last month, 20,000 union nurses went on strike after hospitals in the state tried to cut wages and benefits. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, California nurses earn an average base salary of about $88,000. International Business Times.
Health Net Reports Slight Drop in Third-Quarter Profits
On Wednesday, insurer Health Net announced a net income of $61.8 million for the third quarter of 2011, down by 1% from $62.7 million in Q3 of 2010. The Woodland Hills-based company also reported that Q3 2011 revenue declined by 18% from $3.39 billion in Q2 2010 to $2.79 billion. Officials said the drop in profits was tied to reduced revenue in a contract with the U.S. military’s health care program Tricare. Meanwhile, total enrollment in California increased by about 1% from 2.23 million in Q3 2010 to 2.27 million in the most recent quarter. AP/Bloomberg Businessweek, Payers & Providers.
Editorial Praises HPV Vaccine Advice for Boys, Young Men
A Los Angeles Times editorial states that while a CDC advisory panel’s recent recommendation that boys and young men receive the human papillomavirus vaccine was “the right recommendation,” the “reasons for broadening the vaccine’s use are much bigger.” For several years, CDC has recommended that girls and young women receive the vaccine, which protects against strains of HPV that can cause genital warts and several types of cancer, including cervical cancer. “Just as contraception and family planning should be seen as societal health issues rather than solely ‘women’s issues,’ so should the medical battle against [cervical] cancer,” the editorial adds, noting that the “most effective way to provide protection is with the widest possible use of vaccination.” Los Angeles Times.
Opinion: CMA’s Stance on Marijuana Is Patient-Focused
The California Medical Association’s recent adoption of official policy calling for the legalization of marijuana use “was a purely medical decision,” CMA President-elect Paul Phinney and CMA Speaker of the House Luther Cobb write in a Sacramento Bee opinion piece. According to Phinney and Cobb, CMA’s members share a belief that “the present system of medical cannabis is flawed, contradictory and dangerously detached from scientific evidence.” They add that a “new approach to legalization, regulation, research and enforcement is needed to protect physicians and patients alike.” They conclude, “The bottom line is that patient safety and good public health are the ultimate goals,” but “[n]ot until we’ve gathered sound scientific evidence, and created a robust regulatory structure for medical cannabis, can we achieve those goals.” Sacramento Bee.
State’s Preparation for Health Exchange at ‘Highest Level’
California is in the “highest level” of planning and analysis work in its efforts to meet the Jan. 1, 2014, deadline set by the federal health reform law to establish a state-based health insurance exchange, according to California Health Benefit Exchange IT policy adviser Bill Obernesser. Since April, the exchange’s five-member governing body has been meeting to develop a schedule that would ensure the program is in operation by the federal deadline. Obernesser said the state has set its own deadline of having the exchange up and running by fall 2013. Obernesser said California’s biggest challenge in meeting the deadline will be systems integration. Government Technology.
Authors of Earlier Debt Plans Call for Spending Cuts, Revenue Increases
On Tuesday, the authors of two previous deficit-reduction proposals testified at a public hearing of the debt panel and encouraged panel members to raise revenue and cut entitlement programs to reduce federal spending by $1.5 trillion over a decade. AP/Washington Post et al.
Women Feeling Effects of Cuts to State Health, Social Services Programs
California women are dealing with effects of state budget cuts to health and human services programs. One official said women are especially vulnerable because they often have lower incomes than men and more frequently are single parents who are financially responsible for children. Bloomberg.
Health Reform Retiree Plan’s Budget Drying Up, GAO Says
In a report released on Monday, the Government Accountability Office warned that the $5 billion in funding that the federal health reform law allotted for the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program will be depleted by September 2012. GAO said HHS already has spent about $2.9 billion of the funds for the program, which helps cover the health costs for retirees older than age 55 who do not yet qualify for Medicare. The program also is intended to help prevent employers from dropping retiree health coverage before reform law provisions that prohibit insurers from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions take effect in 2014. In a statement released on Monday, Sen. Mike Enzi criticized HHS for its funding distribution methods. However, federal officials said the accelerated pace of the program was an indicator of the program’s success. Wall Street Journal, The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
More Elderly Residents Seeking Medication Advice at No-Cost Events
A growing number of California’s elderly residents are attending no-cost “Meet the Pharmacist” consultation clinics to receive drug and health advice. Organizers say the demand for the meetings has increased in recent years because of budget cuts and the economic downturn. HealthyCal.
CMS Issues Final Rule Calling for 27.4% Cut in Doctor Payment Rates
Yesterday, CMS issued final rules for hospital and physician payments for 2012 that include a 27.4% cut in physician reimbursement rates. The agency also issued a final rule that would raise payments for outpatient services and ambulatory surgical centers. AHA News et al.