Latest California Healthline Stories
Eyes on Massachusetts’ Efforts To Cut Rising Health Care Costs
Nationwide, observers are looking to Massachusetts as it moves to the second phase of its health care overhaul and seeks to curb heath care costs. The state could become a model for the rest of the country in effectively reining in rising health care costs. Boston Globe.
Enrollment in High-Risk Health Insurance Pools Still Below Expectations
The high-risk pools created under the federal health reform law were expected to cover about 375,000 U.S. residents, but only 8,011 people had enrolled after the first few months of operation. As of Nov. 1, enrollment in most states was below 10% of capacity. New York Times.
WellPoint, Aetna Announce Higher Third Quarter Profits
On Wednesday, health insurer WellPoint said it earned $739.1 million in third-quarter net income, up from $730.2 million during the same period last year. Meanwhile, Aetna announced $497.6 million in third-quarter profit, compared with $326.2 million during the same quarter last year. Despite the higher profit levels, both insurers saw declines in third-quarter revenue, partially because of decreased enrollment. Los Angeles Times.
California Counties Gear Up To Implement Medi-Cal Waiver
Merced County is planning for a Medi-Cal expansion under the state’s newly approved $10 billion federal Medicaid waiver. Meanwhile, Ventura County plans to use the waiver to expand its Access Coverage Enrollment program. CivSource et al.
Federal, Local Officials Investigating Hospital in San Bernardino County
Yesterday, federal agents and San Bernardino County authorities issued a search warrant and seized documents at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Investigators and hospital officials declined to comment on the purpose of the investigation. Los Angeles Times et al.
State Data Highlight Safety Issues at Napa State Hospital
Between early 2009 and the second quarter of 2010, patient attacks on Napa State Hospital staff more than quadrupled to 200 and patient assaults against other patients increased sevenfold to 692, according to data from the California Department of Public Health. The data underscore the challenges that Napa State Hospital will face as it works to improve worker safety following the recent killing of psychiatric technician Donna Gross. Los Angeles Times.
Voters Reject State Marijuana Measure, Back Local Policies
On Tuesday, California voters rejected Proposition 19, which would have legalized sales and use of marijuana. However, voters in nine counties approved measures to tax existing marijuana dispensaries, as well as any establishments that would have been created under Prop. 19. Dale Gieringer — state director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws — said that legislation might be required to clarify regulations governing legal marijuana transactions. Meanwhile, advocates say they will work to include a measure to legalize marijuana on the 2012 ballot. Sacramento Bee et al.
California Organizations Net HHS Biotechnology Funding
On Wednesday, HHS announced $1 billion worth of grants to support the U.S. biotechnology sector, and California received $278 million. The funding is part of the federal health reform law and will go toward helping companies create new therapies and jobs. San Jose Mercury News.
GOP Leaders: Smaller Adjustments to Health Reform Law Most Likely
Republicans are laying out plans to combat the implementation of the health reform law after they made gains in the midterm elections. Leaders say that revisions are likely to be small, given Democrats’ control of the Senate and White House. AP/Philadelphia Inquirer et al.
Analysts: Backing Health Reform Not Top Reason for Democrats’ Losses
Although many Democrats who backed health care reform lost bids for re-election on Tuesday, observers say their support for reform was not the decisive factor in voters’ decisions. Some GOP members are portraying the elections as a referendum on the overhaul. New York Times.