Latest California Healthline Stories
Finance Officials: State Missed July Revenue Target by $541M
State Department of Finance data show July revenue fell short of lawmakers’ expectations by $541 million. More health care cuts could be triggered under the budget if revenue continues to be lower than forecasted. Bloomberg, Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Riverside County Campaign Targets Mental Illness Stigma
Earlier this year, the Riverside County Department of Mental Health launched a campaign, called “It’s Up to Us,” in an effort to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and encourage residents to seek help. The campaign is modeled after a similar program in San Diego County. Riverside County’s $2 million campaign is being financed through the Mental Health Services Act, a 2004 voter-approved ballot measure that requires counties to provide mental health services and education. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Hurdles Persist as State Moves Forward With Health Benefit Exchange
Stakeholders involved with the California Health Benefit Exchange are gearing up to help more than two million residents obtain health coverage. However, the exchange faces numerous hurdles, including making sure more than just high-risk patients use it. Sacramento Bee.
UC-Davis Study Evaluates Autism Risk Among Siblings
The future sibling of a child born with autism has a 19% chance of developing the condition, according to a new study led by Sally Ozonoff, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the UC-Davis MIND Institute. The study found that the risk of developing autism increases to 32% if a child has at least two older siblings with the condition. Previous, smaller studies estimated the autism recurrence risk at between 3% and 10%. AP/San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times.
Report: Rural Residents Tend To Eat Less Fresh Produce
Rural residents of California and 36 others states tend to consume fewer fruits and vegetables daily than city-dwelling residents in those states, according to a recent Essentia Institute of Rural Health report. Nawal Lutfiyya — an author of the report and a senior research scientist at the institute — said that in rural areas, fewer outlets offer fresh produce and those that do sell fruits and vegetables often charge higher prices than grocery stores that serve large metropolitan regions. California Watch.
Medicaid Pays Less for Prescription Drugs Than Medicare, Report Finds
A new report from HHS’ Office of Inspector General finds that Medicaid pays lower prices for many prescription drugs than Medicare. Federal law sets drug discounts for Medicaid, while private health plans and drugmakers negotiate Medicare rebates. New York Times.
Calif., L.A. County Nab Public Health Preparedness Funds
This week, HHS awarded a $41 million grant to California and an additional $20 million award to Los Angeles County under the Public Health Emergency Preparedness cooperative agreement. In total, HHS doled out $613 million in grants to 50 states, four metropolitan areas, and eight U.S. territories and Pacific Island regions for emergency preparedness. Modern Healthcare.
State Officials Seek To Expand Low-Income Workers’ Coverage
California policymakers are working to determine how to help low-income state residents who are not eligible for Medi-Cal obtain health coverage. Recently introduced legislation would create a basic health insurance plan. Ventura County Star.
Health Care Programs Could Face Deep Cuts if Debt Panel Reaches Deal
In a Kaiser Health News analysis, columnist Jonathan Cohn writes that any deficit plan reached by the new debt panel likely would include deeper cuts to Medicare and Medicaid than the automatic cuts that would be triggered if the panel fails to reach a deal. Kaiser Health News et al.
Opinion: Californians Should Learn About CLASS Program
The Community Living Assistance Services and Supports program is “one part of health reform Californians ought to learn more about as Congress and the presidential candidates debate the future of the law this year and next,” Daniel Weintraub — editor of HealthyCal — writes in a Sacramento Bee opinion piece. He notes that “the program is to be open to all and paid for with voluntary deductions from employees’ paychecks,” adding, “People who pay into the program for at least five years would be eligible for a cash benefit they could spend on services of their choice, including in-home care. Weintraub writes that “[n]ine out of 10 California voters over age 40 are unaware of the program, which is scheduled to roll out next year. But when told of its details, 88% said they favored the idea,” according to a recent survey funded by the SCAN Foundation. Sacramento Bee.