Latest California Healthline Stories
Health Chief Predicts Higher Patient Loads at L.A. Hospitals
On Tuesday, Mitch Katz — head of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services — said he foresees overcrowding problems within the county’s public hospital system continuing beyond 2014, when the federal health reform law will expand insurance coverage. Katz cited research out of Massachusetts that indicated use of safety-net services rose after the state enacted a near-universal health insurance law in 2006. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
Virginia Official Calls for Expedited Review of Reform Law Challenge
Virginia Attorney General Kenneth Cuccinelli filed a new brief to support his request that a lawsuit contesting the constitutionality of the federal health reform law sidestep an appeals court and advance directly to the U.S. Supreme Court. CQ HealthBeat, AP/Washington Post.
Anthem Blue Cross Launches Heart Failure Monitoring Tool
Anthem Blue Cross has launched a one-year pilot program that lets patients with congestive heart failure monitor certain medical readings and send data through a secure online portal. Initially, 25 individuals in the Los Angeles area will participate. Anthem plans to roll out the program statewide and involve approximately 750 patients. Health Data Management.
States Seek To Expedite Medicaid Payments
States could receive more than $1 billion in federal matching Medicaid funds if they expedite payment of bills before higher matching rates decline on April 1 and expire on July 1. As a result, many states are rushing to pay medical bills and asking hospitals and physicians to send claims in quickly. In California, a one-week auditor’s hold on checks has been temporarily suspended, and two check-writing dates have been moved from July to June. USA Today.
HHS Unveils National Strategy for Health Care Quality Improvement
Yesterday, HHS released a National Strategy for Quality Improvement in Health Care as called for under the federal health reform law. Among other things, the strategy calls for focusing on patient-centered care, reducing costs and improving public health. HealthLeaders Media, Government Health IT.
Poll Finds State’s Small Businesses Unaware of Health Law Provisions
A survey finds many California small-business owners did not know that tax credits are available through the health reform law to help offset the cost of offering health coverage. The poll also finds that 62% of respondents were unaware of state-based insurance exchanges. Los Angeles Times et al.
Proponents, Opponents of Health Reform Law Defend Their Positions
To mark the one-year anniversary of the health reform law, the Obama administration and health reform allies are promoting the law’s benefits for small businesses, while Senate Republicans have prepared talking points focusing on problems associated with the overhaul. National Journal et al.
Senators: Obama Must Have Larger Role in Deficit Talks
Last week, 64 senators sent a letter to the White House urging President Obama to take a more direct role in addressing the federal deficit and embracing strategies that include reforming Medicare, Medicaid and other entitlement programs. The signatories include 32 Democrats and 32 Republicans. According to co-author Sen. Mike Johanns, the letter also is meant to express support for a group of six senators developing a bill based on a report by the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility that calls for entitlement reforms, among other things. Washington Post, National Journal.
Editorial: State Must Adjust Retiree Health Care Costs
A Sacramento Bee editorial states that “health care obligations for retirees represent another fast-growing cost that neither the state nor local governments have adequately prepared for,” adding that “the government pays the full cost [for retiree health care obligations] on a pay-as-you-go basis.” The Bee continues that these costs increased by “about 18% from last year” and that workers “should be asked to pay more to finance the state’s very generous retiree health plans.” The editorial offers some suggestions for how California could “reduce its retiree health care liability.” Sacramento Bee.
Calif. Prepares for Whooping Cough Vaccine Mandate
Health agencies and schools are ramping up efforts to help students comply with a new state law that requires students in seventh to 12th grade to show proof of immunization for pertussis, or whooping cough, before returning to school in the fall. The San Francisco Department of Public health is holding three no-cost vaccine clinics before the start of the next school year, while the Richmond School District is working to alert parents of the new requirement. San Francisco Chronicle, HealthyCal.