Latest California Healthline Stories
Editorial: Coverage of Autism Therapies Is National Issue
A Sacramento Bee editorial states that “Blue Shield has done the right thing by reaching an agreement” to cover behavioral therapy for autism, adding that other “health care providers should follow.” The editorial continues, “The issue must be addressed on a national level,” adding that HHS “is determining whether the therapy is covered under the Affordable Care Act of 2009.” Sacramento Bee.
Study: Doctors Falling Short on Screenings for Overweight Teens
A forthcoming study from UC-San Francisco researchers finds that overweight teenagers are no more likely than normal-weight teens to receive screenings for physical activity or nutrition. However, obese teens are more likely to receive such screenings. Reuters, MedPage Today.
HHS Awards $95M for School-Based Health Centers Across the U.S.
HHS has awarded $95 million in grants to support school-based health centers nationwide. The awards are the first in a series of grants from the federal health reform law for school-based clinics. California received $14 million of the latest awards. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
Teaching Hospitals Worried Over Potential Federal Cuts
Hospital executives are warning that they could be forced to make devastating reductions to their services and work force if Congress enacts proposed cuts to teaching hospitals as part of federal deficit reduction plans. The proposals call for reducing Medicare subsidies for training physicians and for offering sophisticated medical equipment and critical care services, such as trauma centers and burn units. The Greater New York Hospital Association estimates that hospitals’ payments could drop by 53% — from $10.9 billion today to $5.1 billion in 2015 — if the cuts take effect. New York Times.
Studies Show Daily Pills Help Curb Risk of Contracting HIV
Two recent studies on HIV transmission among heterosexual couples found that taking daily pills as pre-exposure prophylaxis can reduce the risk that an HIV-negative individual will contract HIV from a partner with the disease. The first study, conducted by researchers from the University of Washington, found that HIV-negative partners who took a daily dose of Gilead Sciences’ Truvada had a 73% lower chance of contracting HIV. The second study, conducted by CDC researchers, found that HIV-negative partners who took Truvada had a 62% lower chance of contracting the disease. Los Angeles Times, New York Times.
Legislature Passes Bill To Delay Pertussis Vaccine Requirement
The Senate and Assembly have approved a bill to give schools a 30-day reprieve before enforcing a state law requiring students in grades seven through 12 to receive a booster shot for whooping cough, or pertussis. San Diego Union-Tribune et al.
Anthem Agrees To Cover Costly Autism Therapy
A state spokesperson said that Anthem Blue Cross has agreed to cover a costly autism treatment — called applied behavior analysis or behavioral intervention therapy. The insurer is expected to sign an agreement with the California Department of Managed Health Care on Friday. Blue Shield of California signed a similar deal on Monday, and the department is working on an agreement with the Kaiser Permanente HMO. Los Angeles Times.
Health Affairs Looks at Effect of Reform Law in California
For a recent blog post, Health Affairs interviewed 26 health care stakeholders in California to get the state’s perspective on the health reform law’s Medicaid Expansion. Meanwhile, a separate Health Affairs blog post looked at a Blue Shield of California Foundation survey that found that most low-income Californians would be interested in changing health care providers if they had a choice. Health Affairs.
Obama Urges Congress To Reach Budget Deal Within 24 to 36 Hours
Yesterday, President Obama gave lawmakers 24 to 36 hours to agree on a framework for a deal on a fiscal year 2012 budget and debt-limit proposals. Partisan disagreements over cuts to entitlement programs and new tax increases have stalled negotiations. Politico et al.
S.F. Supervisor Pushes To Close Loophole in Health Law
Last year, 860 San Francisco businesses complied with the city’s Healthy San Francisco law by contributing a total of $62.5 million to health reimbursement accounts. However, only $12.4 million, or about 20%, of that funding was used, and the remaining money was returned to employers. San Francisco Supervisor David Campos has introduced an amendment that would require that unused funds be carried over and made available for reimbursement of future health care costs. It also would require businesses to provide employees with written details about how their health care accounts work. Businesses oppose the amendment, arguing that it would lead to layoffs. Ted Egan — chief economic analyst at San Francisco Controller’s Office — said that if the amendment was approved, the city could lose about 460 jobs in a year. He added that the change likely would drive more employers to comply with the law through the other two options, which would result in better access to care for more residents. San Francisco Chronicle.