Latest California Healthline Stories
New Bill Would Mandate Maternity Coverage in Individual Health Plans
Sen. Noreen Evans has introduced a bill that would require health plans in the individual health insurance market to provide maternity coverage. State law already requires HMOs and group plans to cover such services. Eureka Times-Standard, HealthyCal.
HHS Secretary Provides Guidance To Help States Decrease Medicaid Costs
On Thursday, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius sent a letter to governors suggesting ways states can reduce Medicaid expenditures, such as removing certain benefits, tackling fraud and limiting overuse of specific prescription drugs. New York Times, The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
CDC Says More Work Needed To Manage Heart Disease
A majority of U.S. residents who are at risk for heart disease are not doing enough to manage their health, according to a CDC report. CDC Director Thomas Frieden said that nearly half of the U.S. adult population has either high blood pressure or unhealthy cholesterol levels. He added that two-thirds of adults with high cholesterol and 50% of those with high blood pressure are not being treated effectively, even though more than 80% of those individuals have either public or private health insurance. Reuters.
EPA Planning Steps To Limit Toxins in U.S. Public Drinking Water
The Environmental Protection Agency recently announced that it will be moving to impose limits on toxins in drinking water. EPA’s effort includes setting standards for perchlorate, which has been found in high quantities in California. Miami Herald, New York Times.
AMA: Most Health Insurance Markets Highly Concentrated
A majority of commercial health insurance markets in the U.S. are controlled by one or two insurers, according to the 2010 Competition in Health Insurance report by the American Medical Association. The report found that in 60% of metropolitan areas, two insurers had a market share of 70% or more. Politico‘s “Pulse.”
San Diego County Launches Campaign To Combat Obesity
On Wednesday, San Diego County officials unveiled the Healthy Works initiative, which features projects to promote physical activity, access to healthy food and healthy school settings. The initiative stems from a two-year, $16 million grant under the 2009 economic stimulus package. San Diego Union-Tribune.
SEIU Says Medical Workers Reject NUHW Bid for Vote
On Wednesday, the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West said that the National Union of Healthcare Workers did not obtain enough signatures to force a decertification vote at Catholic Healthcare West facilities. The vote would have involved about 14,000 workers. Sacramento Bee.
Editorial: Justice Kennedy Is ‘Swing Vote’ on Reform Ruling
Following a federal judge’s ruling that invalidated the health reform law, “[t]he tally’s now two for and two against in court rulings on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010,” and “the issue ultimately will be resolved by the U.S. Supreme Court,” according to a Sacramento Bee editorial. It states, “The sooner this reaches the Supreme Court, the better,” adding, “Sacramento’s own Justice Anthony Kennedy likely” could be “the swing vote.” Sacramento Bee.
Report: California Ranks Second to Last in Food Stamp Participation
A new federal report finds that only half of eligible California residents received food stamps in 2008, compared with a national average of 66%. Wyoming had the lowest food stamp participation rate in the nation, at 46%. Los Angeles Times, AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Most Calif. Hospitals Poised To Meet Seismic Safety Standards
About 82% of California hospitals are expected to meet state seismic safety mandates by 2015, according to the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. OSHPD estimates that 16 hospitals will not be fully compliant by 2020. Payers & Providers.