Latest California Healthline Stories
Senate Rejects Measure To Repeal Reform Law, Passes 1099 Removal
On Wednesday, the Senate voted 47-51 to reject an amendment that would have repealed the federal health reform law. The same day, the Senate approved an amendment that would remove the reform law’s 1099 tax-reporting requirement. Washington Post et al.
Medical Groups Appeal Ruling on Supervision of Nurse Anesthetists
The California Medical Association and the California Society of Anesthesiologists are appealing a recent Superior Court decision that upheld the state’s ability to allow nurse anesthetists to administer anesthesia without supervision from a physician. HealthLeaders Media.
Aetna Plans To Stop Selling Individual Policies in Colo.
Aetna has announced plans to stop selling individual health insurance policies in Colorado as of Feb. 1, saying it no longer can meet the needs of its customers and remain competitive in the state’s individual market. Under Colorado law, insurers that exit the individual health insurance market cannot sell individual policies in the state for the following five years. Politico.
State Mulls Donating, Selling Reserve Medical Equipment
California lawmakers are considering whether to donate or auction off medical equipment on eBay to eliminate storage and maintenance costs. The idea emerged after Gov. Brown proposed cutting $5.8 million in annual storage and maintenance spending for the $166 million worth of hospital beds and equipment that the state has reserved for use in major disasters. California Watch/San Francisco Chronicle.
State Payments Vary for Care of People With Disabilities
California pays inconsistent rates to not-for-profit regional centers that contract with vendors to provide care for individuals with developmental disabilities, despite caps designed to curb costs. The service providers can negotiate rates higher than the caps by claiming that they offer extra services to individuals with special needs, such as overnight care. Sacramento Bee.
Report: Cuts to IHSS Could Harm Program Beneficiaries
Proposed reductions to the In-Home Supportive Services program would cause elderly and sick residents, as well as those with disabilities, to cut back on food and medicine so that they could continue receiving care and live in their homes, according to a policy note from the UCLA Center for Health Policy and the SCAN Foundation. The policy note also predicts that IHSS beneficiaries could wind up seeking care in emergency departments or hospitals. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Senate Prepares To Vote on Bill To Repeal Federal Health Care Reform Law
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has attached House-approved legislation to repeal the health reform law to a Federal Aviation Administration funding measure. The chamber could have a vote on the bill as early as Wednesday. Washington Post‘s “44,” Politico.
Calif. Nurses Association Says Health Plans Denied 26% of Claims Last Year
The California Nurses Association/National Nurses United recently released a report finding that California’s seven largest health insurers denied an average of about one in four claims during the first three quarters of last year. KPBS’ “KPBS News,” Healthcare Finance News.
Blue Shield Agrees To Postpone Scheduled Premium Increases
On Tuesday, Blue Shield announced that it would comply with Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones’ request for a 60-day delay of rate hikes that were scheduled to affect nearly 200,000 individual policyholders starting March 1. Sacramento Bee et al.
Study: 80% of Internet Users Seek Health Care Information
Looking up health information is the third most common online activity among U.S. Internet users, with eight out of 10 Internet users reporting doing so, according to a report from the Pew Internet Project and the California HealthCare Foundation. Researchers found that the five most popular types of health-related Web searches are for information on specific diseases or medical problems, medical treatments or procedures, physicians or other medical professionals, hospitals or other health care facilities, and health insurance. Washington Post, Politics Daily‘s “Poll Watch.”