Latest California Healthline Stories
L.A. County Clinics Prepare for New Medi-Cal Patients
Los Angeles County clinic operators are getting ready for changes and a surge of new patients under Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program. More than 500,000 low-income, childless adults will be eligible for Medi-Cal coverage starting Friday under the state’s Bridge to Reform Medi-Cal waiver, which is designed to help the state prepare for wider implementation of the federal health reform law in 2014. Through a program called HealthyWay LA, clinics will set up medical home models of care, and patients will have access to nurse advice lines, mental health care and other services. Los Angeles Daily Breeze.
Editorial Calls on Senate To Pass Rate Regulation Bill
A Sacramento Bee editorial states that “California has a big loophole when it comes to health insurance” because officials “can review health insurance premiums [but] have no power to reject them.” The editorial continues, “The Assembly has done its part to change that, passing AB 52,” and now “it’s up to the Senate.” The Bee notes that other states have enacted rate review legislation, concluding, “California should, too.” Sacramento Bee.
Health Agency Announces Data Breach Affecting 9,000 People
The California Department of Public Health has reported that personal data on 9,000 current and former employees were improperly copied to a hard drive and removed from the agency’s office in April. HealthLeaders Media, Orange County Register.
Sebelius Defends Advisory Panel on Medicare Spending
“Contrary to critics’ contentions,” the Independent Payment Advisory Board’s “work will be transparent, independent and accountable to Congress and the president,” HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius writes in a Politico opinion piece. IPAB was created under the federal health reform law to make recommendations on reducing Medicare spending growth. Sebelius writes that there are built-in restrictions on what IPAB can recommend, adding, “It is expressly prohibited from making recommendations that ration care, raise premiums, reduce benefits or change eligibility for Medicare.” Politico.
Planned Highway Shutdown Concerns Hospital Officials
A scheduled shutdown of a section of the 405 Freeway next month is raising concern that the closure could negatively affect patient care at four Los Angeles-area hospitals. Posie Carpenter — chief administrative officer at Santa-Monica UCLA Medical Center — said the planned July 15 to July 18 shutdown also could affect the commute for an estimated 1,500 hospital employees. Los Angeles Times.
Investigation Identifies Challenges With State Mental Health Funding
A Bay Area News Group investigation finds that state restrictions on how Proposition 63 mental health funds can be spent led some counties to use the funds to hire costly consultants or fund new programs that are only loosely linked to mental health care. San Jose Mercury News.
Calif. Partnership Says it Has Achieved Goals of Federal ACO Efforts
A partnership between Catholic Healthcare West, Blue Shield of California and Hill Physicians Medical Group says it has achieved the care coordination and cost-cutting goals that federal officials aim to promote through accountable care organizations. The Hill, National Journal.
Calif. Nurses Rally To Support Tax on Financial Transactions
Last week, the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United held a series of rallies across California to express support for a proposal to tax financial transactions — such as the buying and selling of stocks, bonds and derivatives — to raise money for public health initiatives. The demonstrations coincided with a protest in New York City organized by NNU. The national union says it backs a bill, by Sen. Bernie Sanders, that would impose such taxes to fund public health services. Ventura County Star, KPBS.
Obama Administration Planning Covert Survey of Primary Care Doctors
Some physicians are concerned with a federal plan to use “mystery shoppers” to learn more about access to care issues. An HHS official says the plan is designed in part to assess whether the health reform law will increase the supply of primary care physicians. New York Times.
Study Finds Prevalence of Diabetes Has Doubled Over Previous 30 Years
A study finds that the number of adults worldwide with diabetes has nearly doubled in the last 30 years to 347 million. Nearly 25 million U.S. adults had diabetes in 2008. Researchers say population growth and aging are primary causes of the increase. Wall Street Journal et al.