Latest California Healthline Stories
Health, School Officials Voice Concern Over Pertussis Rates
Public health and school officials are expressing concern over rates of whooping cough, or pertussis, in California, especially in light of a new law requiring children in grades seven through 12 to receive the pertussis booster vaccine before entering school in the fall. Seventy-eight whooping cough cases have been reported in Contra Costa County this year, while 733 have been reported statewide. Contra Costa Times.
State Lawmakers Push for Bills To Implement Reform Law Provisions
Several bills making their way through the state Legislature aim to implement provisions of the federal health reform law ahead of schedule. Other proposed measures seek to ensure that state residents understand their coverage options under the overhaul. California Watch.
Assembly Member Seeks Audit of Salinas Hospital District Over CEO Pay
Assembly member Luis Alejo has asked the California State Auditor to investigate several concerns about finances at Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare District. The public hospital district recently approved nearly $4 million in retirement pay for its outgoing CEO. Los Angeles Times et al.
CMS Rule Would Make States Track Medicaid Pay Systems
On Friday, CMS issued a proposed rule requiring states to evaluate their provider payment systems for fee-for-service Medicaid plans, in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s announcement that it would consider various conflicting federal court rulings about states’ rights to cut reimbursements. The rule would require states to discern if their payment rates have created “access issues” by periodically monitoring beneficiaries’ needs, the availability of care and the utilization of services. The rule also would prevent states from slashing Medicaid payments unless they could demonstrate that beneficiaries would have “sufficient access” to care following the cuts. Modern Healthcare, New York Times.
Effort To Remove Funds for State Exchanges May Increase Federal Role
A GOP proposal to cut funding aimed at helping states set up insurance exchanges could result in the federal government becoming more involved, according to analysts. However, the bill is unlikely to pass the Senate and would be vetoed by President Obama. The Hill et al.
Editorial: All L.A. Unions Should Adopt Pension Plan
A Los Angeles Times editorial argues that the four Los Angeles labor groups that recently voted against contributing 4% of their salaries toward retiree health benefits made a “shortsighted” decision. “Rapid increases in labor costs, such as employee health benefits and workers’ compensation, are projected to cause large budget shortfalls for the next several years,” the Times writes. “Absent some unexpected savings or surge in revenue,” the city might be forced to “eliminate[e] lower-priority services and terminat[e] the positions associated with them,” the editorial continues, adding, “Labor leaders should ask the dissenting units to vote again on the proposal in light of the long-term threats to their employment.” Los Angeles Times.
Panel Approves Bill To Outlaw Minors’ Use of Tanning Beds
The California Senate Committee on Business and Professions has passed a bill, by Sen. Ted Lieu, that would ban individuals younger than age 18 from using tanning beds and similar devices. Lieu said federal government and health industry data show that indoor tanning is a leading cause of cancer deaths among people ages 18 to 25. However, the Indoor Tanning Association on its website states that there are no “well-designed studies” that support the link between melanoma, a malignant skin cancer, and exposure to ultraviolet rays from tanning beds. The Committee on Appropriations must approve the legislation before it moves to the full Senate. Los Angeles Times.
First 5 Sacramento Cuts $48.5M From Children’s Health Care, Education
Sacramento’s First 5 commission has cut $48.5 million from early childhood health and education programs. The cuts were prompted by recent budget legislation that will shift $1 billion away from First 5 commissions to Medi-Cal children’s services. Sacramento Bee.
Many Young Adults Covered Under Reform Law Provision
The number of young adults taking advantage of a provision in the federal health reform law that allows them to remain on their parents’ health insurance plans until age 26 appears to be outpacing previous estimates. HHS estimated that about 1.2 million young adults would sign up by the end of 2011, but early numbers from insurers show that the number might be much higher. Kaiser Health News.
Columnist: ‘Time Has Come’ for Insurance Oversight Bill
California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones “is sponsoring a bill, carried by Assemblyman Mike Feuer, that would require insurers to obtain approval from state regulators before increasing medical insurance rates,” George Skelton writes in a Los Angeles Times “Capitol Journal” column. Skelton continues that, while opponents of the legislation “have a valid point in arguing that the federal and — especially — state governments are driving up costs” for policyholders by cutting payments for Medicare and Medi-Cal services, this “bill’s time has come.” He concludes, “We shouldn’t be leaving medical coverage costs solely to the whim of the insurance industry.” Los Angeles Times‘ “Capitol Journal.”