Latest California Healthline Stories
Current Medicaid Cuts Could Curb Benefits for New Enrollees in 2014
Two recent analyses find that 24 states plan to cut at least $4.7 billion from their Medicaid programs. Such cuts could result in fewer benefits for the millions of U.S. residents expected to enroll in Medicaid when the federal health reform law expands eligibility in 2014. Reuters.
Do Not Give Up on Long-Term Care Plan, Editorial Says
A recent survey found that many California residents “are woefully underprepared for the cost” of obtaining long-term health care services, a Los Angeles Times editorial states. The findings should serve as “a wake-up call to the public, as well as a warning sign to lawmakers who want to pull the plug preemptively” on the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports program, a long-term care initiative included in the federal health reform law, the editorial argues. It notes that “some critics fear the plan will evolve into a costly new entitlement.” However, the editorial concludes that “it’s too early to give up on CLASS, as some lawmakers have proposed” because “if it’s implemented the right way, CLASS can help.”
HMOs Remain Popular With Southern California Employers, Study Finds
A report by the Center for Studying Health System Change finds that HMOs are maintaining their popularity among Orange County employers and consumers. The study also finds that hospitals are creating foundations to align with physicians. Modern Physician, HSC release.
California Nabs More Than $38M for Insurance Exchange Planning
On Friday, HHS awarded California more than $38 million to help establish a statewide health insurance exchange as required by the health reform law. HHS and the Department of the Treasury also issued three draft rules on the exchanges. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
Health Care Key Issue in Southern Calif. Labor Talks
Health care benefits remain a sticking point in the months-long contract negotiations between three supermarket chains in Southern California — Albertsons, Ralphs and Vons — and the United Food and Commercial Workers union. On Wednesday, a union spokesperson said that members likely will reject the grocers’ latest proposal and hold a vote to strike. Although the chains would pay more for employee health care under the new proposal, union officials said it falls short of their expectations because the benefits would not be fully funded. Pasadena Star-News et al.
Editorial: States Must Mull Medicaid Cuts Carefully
A New York Times editorial argues, “Even in hard budgetary times, states should not be allowed to cut Medicaid reimbursements without regard to the impact on beneficiaries and providers.” It notes that “[m]any states are struggling to balance their budgets by curbing spending on Medicaid” and that California “has far more Medicaid beneficiaries and a bigger budget shortfall than any other state.” After California officials in 2008 cut Medicaid payments to providers by up to 10%, “the state was sued by providers who stood to lose revenues, and beneficiaries, who stood to lose health services, on the grounds that the cuts violated crucial provisions of federal Medicaid law,” the editorial continues. The case is now before the Supreme Court. The editorial argues that “California’s error was that it paid almost no attention to how the rate cuts might affect access to services.” New York Times.
Experts Worried About How Debt Deal Could Affect Reform Rollout
Some experts are concerned that the recent debt deal could complicate implementation of the federal health reform law. They note that spending caps established by the deal could cut funding to agencies charged with enacting parts of the law. U.S. News & World Report et al.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of August 12, 2011
The UC-San Diego Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center officially opened this week after receiving certification from the state Department of Public Health. Meanwhile, the Fremont-Rideout Health Group has broken ground on a $19.4 million expansion of its Marysville cancer center.
Health Net Widens Scope of Data Breach Stemming From Lost Hard Drives
On Wednesday, the insurer Health Net said more members have been notified that their personal data might have been exposed after it lost digital records in March. The insurer also said members’ Social Security numbers were compromised. Bakersfield Californian.
S.D. Otay Water District OKs Lifetime Retiree Health Plan
On Wednesday, the San Diego Otay Water District’s board of directors voted 4-1 to approve a plan to extend lifetime retiree health care benefits to more employees, despite opposition from local consumers and tax regulatory groups. District officials defended the decision, saying district employees essentially would cover the cost of the plan by contributing an additional 7% of their salaries toward their pensions, as well as a small percentage toward their health care. Their increased contribution would be offset by pay raises the district approved under a 2007 contract with employees. San Diego Union-Tribune, NBC San Diego.