Latest California Healthline Stories
Health Advocates Ask CMS To Reject Planned Medi-Cal Adjustments
On Thursday, California health care advocates urged CMS Administrator Donald Berwick to reject a plan by state lawmakers to adjust Medi-Cal spending. Advocates say the plan will harm vulnerable residents and limit access to care. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Study: More Children Going to Hospitals for Mental Illness
U.S. families increasingly are choosing to hospitalize children for mental health issues, such as anxiety disorder, according to a study published this week in the Archives of General Psychiatry. Using data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey for the 10-year period beginning in 1996, researchers found that psychiatric hospital discharges rates increased by more than 80% for children ages five to 13, and by 42% for older teens. Study author Joseph Blader of Stony Brook State University of New York said that hospitalizations usually are the last resort for families and that their decision often is based on whether the child might be considered a danger to themselves or others. Reuters.
Surveys Gauge Reform Law’s Effect on Businesses, States
About 2% of businesses said they are “very likely” and 6% said they are “likely” to drop health benefits for their employees in 2014 because of the federal health reform law, according to a recent Mercer survey of 894 employers. The survey found that businesses have seen an average increase of about 2% in enrollment as a result of a provision in the overhaul that extended eligibility to dependents younger than age 26. Meanwhile, a Government Accountability Office survey found that the overhaul has provided about $50 million to states to help them monitor rates charged by insurers. About 66% of states that have received such funds have increased their review infrastructure by hiring more staff or investing in information technology, the survey found. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
Kaiser Offers $10M To Fight Obesity in Northern Calif.
On Wednesday, Kaiser Permanente announced that it will contribute $10 million over three years to address obesity in Northern California. As part of its investment, the health system is awarding $1 million each to seven communities through its Healthy Eating Active Living Zones project, also called the HEAL Zones initiative. Kaiser has set aside the remaining $3 million to provide technical and evaluation support for anti-obesity efforts in the seven targeted communities and other areas of Northern California. San Francisco Business Times et al.
Opinion: Calif. Leads in Health Program Enrollment Systems
“In order to realize the promise of health care reform, states must be ready to hit the ground running with streamlined, user-friendly enrollment systems by January 2014,” Philip Browning — director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services — writes in a Capitol Weekly opinion piece. He adds, “Luckily, California is ahead of the pack in offering online features for health care applications that will be instrumental in offering a streamlined eligibility system under the new law.” Browning notes, “The forward-thinking investments California counties have made in automating social services application systems can be used or built upon to meet the upcoming health care challenges.” Capitol Weekly.
Advocates To Press U.S. Officials To Reject Planned Medi-Cal Cuts
State health care advocates are calling on federal officials to block planned Medi-Cal cuts that are part of California’s budget package. California lawmakers are seeking to slash Medi-Cal payments by up to 10% and set new copayments for beneficiaries. Sacramento Bee.
Appeals Court Dismisses Reform Law Case Filed by N.J. Physician Group
A circuit court of appeals has upheld a lower court’s decision and dismissed a lawsuit that a group of New Jersey physicians filed against the federal health reform law. The court ruled that the plaintiffs lack the legal standing to pursue the case. Bloomberg, CQ HealthBeat.
Some Calif. Hospitals Could Lose Medicare Funds Under CMS Rule
Ten California hospitals are at risk of having Medicare payments cut based on a new CMS rule that will slash rates for facilities identified as having high readmission rates for certain patients. One official says inner-city facilities could be particularly affected. California Watch.
Health Officials Seek Improved Options for Food-Stamp Recipients
The majority of restaurants that take part in a state food-stamp program are fast-food establishments, which worries public health officials who say that individuals should have healthier options. Some officials are seeking ways to educate program participants. Los Angeles Times.
Study: U.S. Doctors Top Canadian Physicians in Administrative Costs
A new Health Affairs study finds that administrative costs for U.S. doctors are nearly four times higher than for Canadian physicians. The study also notes that U.S. physicians spend much more time on administrative work than their Canadian peers. CQ HealthBeat, Modern Physician.