Latest California Healthline Stories
Poll Finds Conflicting Views on Budget-Trimming Efforts
A new Los Angeles Times/University of Southern California poll shows that California residents are in favor of spending cuts to address the budget deficit but would object to reductions to programs that make up 85% of the state’s general fund commitments. For example, 32% of respondents said Gov.-elect Jerry Brown’s next priority should be slashing state spending, while 43% said Brown’s top priority should be safeguarding education and health care services for children and indigent individuals — which combined make up about 72% of state spending. Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Many California PPOs Earn Low Grades in Latest Report Card
Five of six major California PPOs received a one-star rating in providing customer service, according to a new state report card. The report card also graded PPOs on meeting quality standards and ease of obtaining care. Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee.
San Francisco’s New EHR System Contributing to Administrative Issues
Health care providers have faced difficulty using the San Francisco Department of Public Health’s electronic health record system. The issues might have led to the loss of data on millions of dollars in mental health and substance misuse services. Bay Citizen.
UC-Berkeley Nabs Children’s Health Research Grants
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the Environmental Protection Agency have awarded $16.5 million to three UC-Berkeley research centers that concentrate on children’s health. The funding will go to the Center for Environmental Research and Children’s Health, the Center for Integrative Research on Childhood Leukemia and the Environment, and the Center for Environmental Public Health. San Francisco Business Times.
Medicaid ACO Hands Out Grants to Medical Groups
EHS Medical Group, California’s largest Medicaid accountable care organization, has awarded two $10,000 grants to United Health Centers in San Joaquin Valley and the UC-San Francisco Fresno Medical Education and Research program. United Health Centers will use the grant for enhancements to its computer systems, and UCSF will use the funding to establish a yearly student internship program. Fresno Business Journal, Fresno Bee.
Opinion: Governor Fell Short in Preserving Safety Net
As Gov. Schwarzenegger “prepares to leave office in just over a month, the legacy he leaves behind in the area of social services can be summed up as follows: It didn’t have to be this way,” Frank Mecca, executive director of the County Welfare Directors Association, writes in a Capitol Weekly opinion piece. Mecca writes that Schwarzenegger “had a tremendous opportunity to roll up his sleeves and try to help mend the tattered safety net for children and families,” adding, “That he chose otherwise leaves a legacy that no one should be proud of.” Capitol Weekly.
White House Expands Bonus Payments for MA Insurers
The Obama administration has expanded bonus payments that reward Medicare Advantage insurers who receive higher quality rankings, requiring them to score three out of five “stars” instead of four to receive the extra payments. CMS officials said the change will encourage MA plans to more quickly improve on quality measures. Kaiser Health News.
Bipartisan Proposal Aims To Change Health Law’s Individual Mandate Rule
Sens. Scott Brown and Ron Wyden are expected to introduce legislation to move up the date at which states could opt out of the health reform law’s individual mandate. The bill marks the GOP’s first legislative effort to adjust the reform law. Politico, Kaiser Health News.
Employer-Sponsored Insurance Costs Rise in California, Across U.S.
A new report from Mercer finds that costs for California employers that offer health coverage for employees have climbed by 8.4% this year. Nationwide, costs for employer-provided insurance rose by 6.9% over 2009 levels. McClatchy/Sacramento Bee, Los Angeles Times.
ProPublica: Disciplined Doctors Receiving Drug Company Funding
A database compiled by ProPublica shows that 1,730 California physicians have received funds from drug companies over the last 21 months. About 48 of those doctors have been the subject of disciplinary action. San Francisco Chronicle.