Latest California Healthline Stories
Democratic Lawmakers Push for Bill To Increase Oversight of Health Plans
AB 52 by Assembly members Jared Huffman and Mike Feuer would allow California’s insurance commissioner to reject excessive health insurance rate hikes. Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones and Sen. Dianne Feinstein support the legislation. Santa Rosa Press Democrat et al.
HHS Releases Plans Aimed at Reducing Health Disparities
On Friday, HHS released a new action plan designed to reduce health care disparities between white U.S. residents and minority populations. Some of the recommendations included in HHS’ plan call for hiring local community health workers and conducting comparative effectiveness studies on the treatment of various conditions among minority populations. HHS also issued a separate report on strategies for community-level efforts to reduce health disparities. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
New Law Adjusts Tax Issue for Adult Children’s Coverage
On Wednesday, Gov. Brown signed a bill, by Assembly member Henry Perea, that removes tax liability for parents who have adult children on their health insurance plans. The bill aligns California law with federal tax rules. Under the federal health reform law, parents can keep children up to age 26 on their coverage. Sacramento Business Journal, Business Journal.
Brown, Lawmakers Hit the Road To Promote Their Budget Objectives
Gov. Brown is traveling to Orange and Riverside counties to discuss budget options now that the deadline has passed for a June special election on tax extensions. Meanwhile, Republican leaders are embarking on a multi-stop tour to oppose Brown’s tax plan. Sacramento Bee et al.
Government Shutdown Looms as Federal Budget Impasse Drags On
A third day of negotiations between President Obama and top congressional leaders has failed to result in a federal budget deal. Congress will need to pass a new budget measure by midnight to avert a shutdown of the federal government. Reuters et al.
Violence Major Issue at Calif. Mental Treatment Facilities
California’s psychiatric hospitals have seen a rise in violent incidents in recent years, sparking calls for state legislation to improve safety measures. For example, a Napa State Hospital employee was allegedly killed last year by a patient, and Atascadero State Hospital has seen a 36% rise in violence since 2006. NPR’s “Morning Edition.”
Shutdown of Federal Government Would Not Halt Reform Roll Out
A government shutdown would not stop officials from implementing the federal health reform law, though some workers charged with writing various regulations could be furloughed, according to an HHS official. Meanwhile, Medicare Parts B and D would be funded through May. Politico et al.
Editorial: First 5’s Lawsuit Illustrates Budget Challenges
A Los Angeles Times editorial states that three county First 5 commissions “may well prevail” in a lawsuit that they filed this week over Gov. Brown’s plan to divert funding from Proposition 10 to Medicaid children’s services. The editorial continues that the lawsuit “is a good illustration of how ballot-box budgeting makes it harder for lawmakers to set priorities and decide how best to meet their constituents’ many needs.” Los Angeles Times.
GAO: Medicaid, CHIP Falling Short in Care Coordination
Many children enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program encounter difficulty accessing care coordination services, according to a report by the Government Accountability Office. The report found that 45% of children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP needed care coordination in 2007. Of those children, 37% did not receive care coordination services. Healthcare Finance News.
Nearly 151,000 Anthem Enrollees To Miss Out on Reduction in Rate Hikes
Anthem Blue Cross recently said it would scale back rate hikes for 600,000 policyholders, but the reductions will not affect nearly 151,000 members whose policies are overseen by the Department of Managed Health Care. Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle‘s “Chron Rx.”