Latest California Healthline Stories
Calif. Officials Quiet on Effects of Medi-Cal Rate Cuts
The California Department of Health Care Services in its June request for federal approval to reduce Medi-Cal reimbursement rates by 10% said it would study the effects of the cuts on beneficiaries’ access to medical care. However, DHCS remains tight-lipped about its findings and recently rejected a Public Records Act request by the Sacramento Bee to obtain access to study. Health care providers have warned that the proposed cuts would discourage them from accepting Medi-Cal patients. Sacramento Bee.
Consumer Group Blasts Sen. Hernandez Over Ties to Kaiser
Consumer Watchdog is calling for Sen. Ed Hernandez to be stripped of his position as chair of Senate Health Committee after Hernandez’s latest financial disclosure report raised questions about his business relationship with Kaiser Permanente. The consumer advocacy group noted that Hernandez recently helped shelve a bill that would have given state officials power to regulate health insurance rate increases. The senator’s disclosure report shows that since 2006, Kaiser has paid about $387,000 to lease an office building owned by Hernandez’s company. Los Angeles Times.
Stanford Hospitals To Keep Honoring Anthem Rates
On Thursday, Stanford Hospital & Clinics announced that it will continue to honor the health coverage rates of Anthem Blue Cross members, two weeks after the organizations terminated their health benefits agreement after failing to reach an accord on reimbursement rates. An Anthem spokesperson said that Stanford’s announcement was made “independent” from the insurer and that patients should confirm the status of their benefits and in-network rates before scheduling hospital visits. San Jose Mercury News, Palo Alto Online.
Students Without Pertussis Vaccinations Sent Home
Thousands of California students who have not received a vaccination for pertussis — or whooping cough — as mandated by state law are being sent home from schools. The law requires all students entering grades seven through 12 to produce proof of immunization or a personal belief exemption within 30 days of the start of the school year. In the next few weeks, thousands of additional students could be sent home as more districts reach their 30-day deadline. Sacramento Bee.
Four Major Health Systems Sit Out ‘Pioneer’ ACO Program
The Mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic, Geisinger Health System and Intermountain Healthcare opted not to apply for the federal government’s “Pioneer” Accountable Care Organization program, which HHS unveiled in response to the overwhelmingly negative reception to CMS’ proposed regulations for ACOs. HHS said the Pioneer program would “provide a faster path for mature ACOs” and allow high-performing health systems to access their savings up front in exchange for taking on greater financial risk. Intermountain representative Daron Cowley said the health system did not apply because “the ACO regulations fell short of the goals that had been set, especially as it pertains to institutions that already are organized to coordinate care.” Kaiser Health News.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of September 16, 2011
State regulators plan to inspect Scripps Mercy Hospital’s power capabilities after the hospital’s only generator failed during a recent blackout. Meanwhile, officials have broken ground on Community Memorial Hospital’s new six-story, $268 million facility in Ventura.
Officials: Enrollment in Medicare Advantage To Rise, Premiums To Fall
Obama administration officials announced that enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans is expected to increase by 10% in 2012. Officials also said monthly premiums for MA plans likely will drop by an average of 4% and benefits likely will remain stable. Washington Post et al.
Report: Medi-Cal Cuts Could Harm Millions of California Residents
A report says that millions of Californians with serious health conditions would be negatively affected by Medi-Cal cuts. The report comes as the congressional debt-reduction panel weighs possible health care cuts. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules” et al.
GOP Lawmakers Revisit Efforts To Dismantle Health Reform Law
House Republicans have taken steps to repeal two provisions of the health reform law. One of the measures up for repeal outlines how insurers can lose their grandfathered status, and the other establishes a medical-loss ratio for health plans. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
Six-Part Video Series Aims To Explain Health Reform Law
The California HealthCare Foundation has unveiled a series of six short videos to help consumers understand the complexities of the various programs, policies and other aspects of the federal health reform law. The videos provide summaries about state-based health insurance exchanges, regulations governing employers’ health insurance coverage for workers and other provisions of the law. Los Angeles Times‘ “Money & Company.”