Latest California Healthline Stories
HHS To Dole Out Funds for Insurance Reviews, Healthy Behaviors
HHS recently announced that it will award $199 million in federal grants to help states improve their insurance rate review processes. The agency also announced $100 million for states to incentivize Medicaid beneficiaries to adopt healthy behaviors. Modern Healthcare, The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Opinion: Combat Obesity by Expanding Proposed Soda Tax
A proposal by Assembly member William Monning to “slap a penny-an-ounce levy on drinks sweetened with sugar or corn syrup” to combat obesity should be expanded “to fast food — say, a penny for every 500 calories served,” Los Angeles Times columnist David Lazarus writes. Lazarus concludes, “The food industry is right: A soda tax won’t solve the obesity epidemic. Sin taxes in general aren’t going to make problems go away. But they’re a good place to start.” Los Angeles Times.
HIMSS Recognizes 10 Calif. Hospitals as High EHR Users
On Tuesday at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society’s 2011 conference in Orlando, Fla., HIMSS recognized 11 Kaiser Permanente hospitals as achieving Stage 7 of electronic health record implementation. Stage 7 is the highest level of EHR adoption as graded by HIMSS. Ten California facilities and one Oregon facility received the distinction. San Francisco Business Times.
Assembly Member Introduces Slate of Bills for Elderly Care
On Wednesday, Assembly member Mariko Yamada introduced eight pieces of legislation aimed at consolidating certain elderly care programs, curbing duplicative application processes, ending repetitive administrative procedures and cutting costs. Yamada said California needs to change how long-term care services are delivered to address the state’s growing elderly population. CTNS/News10.
Plaintiffs Say Judge Who Invalidated Health Law Meant To Stop Rollout
Plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the health reform law argue that a judge’s ruling nullifying the law meant that the government should stop implementing the overhaul. They also say that a request to clarify the ruling will cause unnecessary delays. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
California Counties File Case Targeting Medicare Formulas
Seven California counties have filed an amended complaint alleging that Medicare underpays health care providers in certain regions because of outdated payment formulas. The complaint is part of a national lawsuit filed in 2007. HealthLeaders Media.
Nearly Half of Americans Confused About Status of Health Reform Law
Roughly half of surveyed U.S. residents believe the federal health reform law has been repealed or are unsure of its current status, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll. Factors causing the confusion could include clashing media headlines. Politico, Kaiser Health News.
Stanford Nabs $5M Grant for Center on Aging, Stem Cells
The Glenn Foundation for Medical Research has provided a $5 million grant to help Stanford University launch a new center on stem cells and the aging process. The center — which will be called the Paul F. Glenn Laboratories for the Biology of Aging at Stanford — will study how stem cells change as an individual ages. San Francisco Business Times.
Providence Slated To Take Over Movie Fund Hospital, Nursing Home
Providence Health and Services has reached a tentative deal to assume management of the Motion Picture and Television Fund’s hospital and nursing home. The agreement would allow the facilities to stay open and accept patients from the general public. Los Angeles Daily News et al.
HHS To Help Fund Medicaid Community Care Programs
On Tuesday, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the availability of more than $4 billion for two programs under the federal health reform law that aim to help Medicaid beneficiaries move from institutions to community living. One of the programs will allow states to receive a 6% increase in federal matching funds for providing community-based attendant services and support to Medicaid beneficiaries beginning in October. Modern Healthcare.