Latest California Healthline Stories
Health Reform Lawsuit Stakeholders File Early Briefs With SCOTUS
The plaintiffs and defendants in a multistate lawsuit challenging the health reform law filed briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court ahead of the Oct. 28 deadline. The early submissions could allow the court to hear the case as early as March 2012. AP/Washington Post, CQ HealthBeat.
Anthem, SCAN To Cease MA Plan Coverage for 140,000 Beneficiaries
More than 140,000 Medicare beneficiaries in California will have to seek new Medicare Advantage policies after Anthem Blue Cross and SCAN Health Plan stopped offering coverage for some plans because of federal rules and business issues. Payers & Providers.
San Bernardino County To Join Health Data Exchange
On Tuesday, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors approved a plan for the county to participate in the Inland Empire Health Information Exchange. The health data exchange — which includes most of the major health care providers, physician groups and hospitals in Riverside and San Bernardino counties — is expected to increase efficiency and lower costs by allowing health care providers to securely share patient records electronically. Participating in the health data exchange will cost San Bernardino County about $150,000 annually, but the first five years will be covered by the Inland Empire Health Plan, a public HMO that provides services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Study: Asthma-Related ED Visits Correlate With Higher Pollution Levels
A new study finds that the number of asthma-related emergency department visits in the San Joaquin Valley corresponds to rises in air pollution levels. The study also makes connections to increases in ED visits for other health issues. Bakersfield Californian et al.
Romney Faces More Criticism About Mass. Law at Debate
During a Republican presidential debate in Las Vegas on Tuesday, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney was once again forced to defend the state health reform law that he signed in 2006. Texas Gov. Rick Perry, former Sen. Rick Santorum and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich were most critical about the Massachusetts law, which they noted had been used as a model for the federal health reform law. Romney frequently reiterated that the Massachusetts law was a solution designed to address a state problem and pledged to take steps to repeal the federal law if he is elected next year. Boston Globe‘s “Political Intelligence” et al.
L.A. County Supervisors Vote To Cut Indigent Care Reimbursements
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has voted to reduce the rate paid to physicians who provide care to indigent patients as a result of declining state revenue. Under the plan, physicians will be reimbursed for 14% of the services they provide. Long Beach Press-Telegram.
State Seeks Payments for Some Medi-Cal Benefits Now Excluded
The Department of Health Care Services is requesting that clinics send back funds the agency paid for optional Medi-Cal services in the last year. CMS signed off on the state’s plan to eliminate coverage of the services. California Watch.
CDC: Excessive Alcohol Use Cost U.S. $224B in 2006
A new CDC study concludes that excessive alcohol consumption cost the U.S. $223.5 billion in 2006, or about $2 per drink. The study found that 72% of costs came from lost workplace productivity; 11% came from direct health care costs; 9% came from law enforcement expenses; and 6% came from motor vehicle accidents. In related news, CMS recently announced that Medicare will begin paying for annual screenings for alcohol misuse. For those who screen positive, up to four “brief, face-to-face” behavioral counseling interventions will be covered annually. The new services will be considered preventive services, which beneficiaries receive at no cost. AP/Washington Post, MedPage Today.
Editorials Discuss Suspension of Reform Law’s CLASS Act
A Washington Post editorial states that HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius made “the right conclusion” when she announced last week that there is no “viable path forward” to implement the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act. The editorial adds that Republicans made “an unfair dig” by claiming HHS’ decision is “an illustration of the unworkable nature of the health care law.” Meanwhile, a Wall Street Journal editorial argues that the “only reason [HHS] pre-emptively called off this scheme” is because former Sen. Judd Gregg “succeeded in inserting a proviso that required the CLASS program’s reality to match Democratic promises as a matter of law.” The editorial adds, “[N]ow that the administration itself has vindicated its critics, Republicans have a new political opportunity to make real health care legislative progress.” Washington Post, Wall Street Journal.
GOP Aiming To Dismantle Health Reform Law in 2012
Republican groups are making plans to dismantle the federal health reform law in the event that the GOP wins control of the Senate and White House in the 2012 elections. Advocates are urging the GOP presidential candidates to commit to fully repealing the overhaul, while conservative health care experts are developing an alternative to the law to deflect criticism that the GOP’s reform plans would leave millions of U.S. residents without health coverage. At this point, none of the leading Republican candidates have offered a replacement health reform plan. Los Angeles Times.