Latest California Healthline Stories
Alameda County Rolls Out New Ambulance Service
Alameda County is rolling out a new emergency transport service operated by Paramedics Plus. For nearly 40 years, American Medical Response had served the county, but supervisors selected Paramedics Plus following a bidding process. The new ambulance service operator will cap net profits and return excess funds to the county’s Emergency Medical Services agency, according to Jeff Taylor, head of the company’s California operations. Oakland Tribune.
HHS Updates Healthy People Initiative, Issues Data Collection Targets
On Monday, HHS officials announced several new health-tracking indicators for the Healthy People 2020 campaign. In addition, the agency released finalized survey standards that will give it the ability to collect more specific demographic information about respondents. National Journal et al.
Study: Fast Food Not Sole Link to High Obesity in Low-Income Areas
A new report from the UC-Davis Center for Healthcare Policy and Research finds that fast food alone is not the cause for high obesity rates among people living in low-income households. Health experts say further research of the topic is needed. Sacramento Bee.
Medi-Cal Cuts Will Squeeze Rural Care, Editorial Argues
The recently approved 10% cut to Medi-Cal payments for a number of health care providers “will deal a heavy blow not just to those who rely directly on Medi-Cal, but to the entire rural medical system,” a Redding Record Searchlight editorial argues. “The Medi-Cal cuts will take a serious toll” on facilities in “outlying areas,” the editorial states, adding that the reductions could lead “to the elimination of some entire medical services in remote communities.” Redding Record Searchlight.
Federal Officials Charge 17 in Prescription Drug Fraud Ring
Last week, federal authorities charged 17 individuals for allegedly submitting false prescription drug claims to Medicare and Medi-Cal that caused the government to pay several times for the same medications. According to the complaint, members of the drug fraud ring unlawfully obtained expensive antipsychotic medications — such as Abilify, Seroquel and Zyprexa — from San Gabriel Valley pharmacies and then funneled the drugs back to the pharmacies, which would repackage and dispense the drugs again. Authorities said more than $18 million in bills were sent to the federal government and that about $7.3 million was paid out. Los Angeles Times, AP/Miami Herald.
Advocates Raise Concerns Over Shift to Medi-Cal HMO Coverage
Patient advocates are concerned that the state’s plan to transition about 380,000 individuals from fee-for-service Medi-Cal coverage to HMO plans could affect continuity of care. The move is part of the Bridge to Reform program. Sacramento Business Journal.
More Details Surface About GOP Proposal To Reduce Deficit by $2.2T
Congressional sources have revealed more details about a 10-year, $2.2 trillion deficit-reduction plan from Republican members of the debt panel. Sources say the plan would cut $300 billion from Medicare and $185 billion from Medicaid. CQ HealthBeat, The Hill‘s “On the Money.”
Long Beach Nurses Authorize Strike Ahead of Negotiations
Registered nurses at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and Miller Children’s Hospital have voted to authorize a strike stemming from an ongoing contract dispute. The nurses union is requesting that nurses who “float” from one department to another have adequate training and that nurses receive coverage during meals and other breaks. The union also has concerns pertaining to benefits, furloughs and wages. Hospital officials say they are following the industry standards for floating and furloughs. The nurses union, the California Nurses Association and hospital officials are slated to meet on Tuesday and Wednesday. Long Beach Press-Telegram, Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
Jury Orders UC-Davis To Pay $7.6M to Paraplegic Woman
On Friday, a Sacramento Superior Court jury awarded $7.6 million to an Elk Grove woman after determining that UC-Davis Medical Center employees misread an MRI exam and that resulting complications caused her to become paralyzed. A UC spokesperson said in statement that an internal review of the case showed that “the medical care provided … was appropriate.” The jury awarded the woman $6.4 million to cover lost wages and the cost of lifetime medical and attendant care, as well as $1.2 million for pain and suffering. However, California’s medical malpractice law caps damages for pain and suffering at $250,000. If the jury’s verdict stands, the plaintiff would receive $6.67 million. Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Business Journal.
Lawsuit Raises Issue of States’ Ability To Cut Insurers’ Rates
Last week, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners filed a brief expressing concern over a Maine lawsuit that challenges the state’s authority over health insurers’ profits, arguing that a decision likely will affect how state insurance regulators can restrict rate increases. On Nov. 10, the state’s Supreme Court will hear oral arguments by Anthem Health Plans of Maine, which alleges that state insurance regulators violated state law and acted unconstitutionally in requesting reduced premium increases in the past three years. In siding with Maine regulators, NAIC said that the court’s decision “has the potential to destabilize a key aspect of insurance regulation and will have far-reaching effects impacting all states” if the court rules in favor of Anthem. Kaiser Health News/Washington Post.