Latest California Healthline Stories
Study Finds Republican Budget Plan Would Add to Ranks of Uninsured
A GOP fiscal year 2012 budget plan could cause up to 44 million Medicaid beneficiaries to lose coverage, according to a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Urban Institute. The report also says federal Medicaid spending would drop by $1.4 trillion. AP/Washington Post et al.
Kaiser Permanente Reports Rise in Income, Membership
Kaiser Permanente recently announced that it generated $921 million in net income during the first quarter of 2011, up from $706 million during the same quarter last year. The health system also announced that its membership rose by 208,000 enrollees during the quarter, bringing Kaiser’s total membership to more than 8.8 million nationwide. Sacramento Business Journal.
Asthma Hospitalizations Drop Among Riverside County Kids
The number of children hospitalized for asthma in Riverside County has declined by about 50% since 2000, but the county’s asthma hospitalization rate still tops statewide averages, according to a new report from the Riverside County Department of Public Health. The report found that pediatric asthma hospitalizations in Riverside County dropped from 182.6 per 100,000 children in 2000 to 97.2 per 100,000 children in 2009. The statewide average is 77.6 asthma hospitalizations per 100,000 children. Palm Springs Desert Sun.
Enrollment Rising Slowly for High-Risk Insurance Pools
As of the end of March, 18,313 U.S. residents had enrolled in the high-risk health insurance pools created under the federal health reform law, up from 12,437 who had enrolled as of Feb. 1, according to new HHS data. However, the enrollment figures still fall significantly below early federal estimates, which projected that 375,000 residents would enroll in the pools by the end of 2010. Kaiser Health News.
Uncertainty Surrounds Small-Business Benefits in Health Reform Law
Many small businesses in California are not aware of health reform law provisions, such as the small-business tax credits or the state health insurance exchange. In addition, many small-business owners have questions about their eligibility for those reform law benefits. Modesto Bee.
Stakeholders: California Slowing Down in Reform Implementation
Although California was the first state to pass legislation establishing a health insurance exchange under the federal health reform law, progress has slowed since Gov. Brown took office and began focusing on the state’s massive budget deficit. Politico.
Bill Would Forbid Certain Purchases in CalFresh
A bill in the Legislature would ban users of CalFresh, California’s food stamp program, from purchasing sweetened beverages that have more than 10 calories per cup. The bill would allow purchases of juice with no added sugar, as well as milk products. Supporters of the legislation say it represents good health policy, while opponents have raised concerns that it unfairly singles out low-income shoppers and that grocers would not be able to track the nutritional value of every beverage product. Sacramento Bee.
CMS Told To Boost Oversight of Nursing Home Complaints
CMS should work to strengthen its oversight of investigations stemming from nursing home complaints, according to a Government Accountability Office report. The report recommends that CMS improve a complaints database and refine guidance on state performance standards. Modern Healthcare.
First 5 San Diego Votes To Cut Funds From Kids’ Health Care, Education
San Diego County’s First 5 Commission recently approved a four-year, 26.6% reduction in spending on children’s health and education programs. The cuts were spurred by the state’s plan to shift funds away from First 5 to help close California’s deficit. San Diego Union-Tribune.
HHS Identifies Issues in Use of Antipsychotic Drugs in Nursing Homes
Roughly one in seven nursing home residents is prescribed antipsychotic drugs for off-label uses, according to the HHS Office of Inspector General. During a six-month period, 51% of Medicare claims for such drugs did not meet regulation standards. New York Times, Modern Healthcare.