Latest California Healthline Stories
DOJ Says Supreme Court Should Not Review Reform Lawsuit Early
In newly filed court documents, the Obama administration argues that the Supreme Court should not review a lawsuit against the federal health reform law before it has been fully adjudicated in an appeals court as requested by Virginia state officials. AP/San Francisco Chronicle, “SCOTUS Blog.”
Unfunded Liability for Retiree Health Care Hits Nearly $60B
On Monday, State Controller John Chiang announced that California’s 30-year unfunded liability for retiree health and dental benefits has jumped by $8.1 billion over the last year to $59.9 billion. AP/San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Business Journal.
Panel To Call for Audits of Nursing Continuing Education Providers
On Monday, a state Senate committee is holding a hearing on the consumer protection role of several licensing boards. The panel is expected to recommend that the Board of Registered Nursing audit groups that provide continuing education courses for nurses. California Watch.
Some Blue Shield Members To Face Dramatic Rise in Premiums
About 900 Blue Shield of California members with individual policies could see their premiums rise by 80% or more cumulatively as a result of two recent rate hikes and a third premium increase scheduled to take effect on May 1. Los Angeles Times.
Sebelius Champions Benefits of Health Care Reform Law
In a Politico opinion piece, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius outlines how consumers have benefited from the health care reform law since it was signed into law a year ago. She notes, “President Barack Obama has made clear that his administration is willing to work with anyone to improve the law and fix what needs fixing.” However, she adds, “What we can’t afford to do is take away these benefits, cancel these rights and return to the days when insurance accompanies got between you and your doctor.” She concludes, “If we want to relieve the burden of rising health care costs on families, businesses and government, we need to move forward not back.” Politico.
Debate Stirring Over Idea of Merging Health Plan Oversight Agencies
Some policymakers have called for California to combine the regulatory authority of the Department of Managed Health Care and the Department of Insurance. California is the only state with two agencies that oversee health insurers. Sacramento Business Journal.
CBO: Defunding Reform To Add to Long-Term Deficit
Last week, the Congressional Budget Office released an analysis finding that blocking implementation funding for the federal health reform law would cut the deficit by $1.4 billion for the rest of the fiscal year but would add $5.7 billion over the course of 10 years. CBO said its analysis includes figures that are “highly uncertain” because they depend on how the Obama administration would interpret defunding provisions in the fiscal 2011 spending bill. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
House GOP Stopgap Measure Includes Some Health Care Cuts
A new three-week stopgap spending measure proposed by House Republicans to fund the federal government through April 18 includes funding cuts to a few secondary health care programs. However, the measure would not affect the implementation budget for the federal health reform law. Los Angeles Times et al.
Lawmakers Introduce Bills To Crack Down on Elder Abuse
California lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at improving elder abuse reporting and making it easier to obtain convictions. Assembly member Mariko Yamada introduced a bill that would require mandated reporters — such as nursing employees and social, health and law enforcement employees — to inform both an ombudsman and local law enforcement of suspected elder abuse. Currently, mandated reporters only are required to report cases to one of the two agencies. Meanwhile, Sen. Joe Simitian introduced a bill that would lower the burden of proof in elder abuse cases from “clear and convincing evidence” to a “preponderance of evidence.” California Watch.
Appeals Court To Speed Up Review of Health Reform Law Ruling
On Friday, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals granted a request by the Obama administration to expedite the appeal of a federal judge’s ruling against the individual mandate in the federal health reform law. However, the court proposed a faster timetable than the government expected. AP/USA Today, CQ HealthBeat.