Latest California Healthline Stories
States’ Lawsuit Against Health Care Overhaul Likely To Move Forward
A district court judge has said that a multistate lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the health reform law is likely to proceed. The lawsuit disputes a provision in the law that mandates individuals to purchase health insurance or face a penalty. New York Times et al.
CalPERS’ Annual Enrollment for Health Plans Under Way
On Monday, CalPERS began its open enrollment period, in which state and city government employees can select health care coverage for next year. CalPERS provides coverage for more than 1.3 million individuals, including dependents, at a cost of more than $5.7 billion annually. The enrollment session is open until Oct. 8. Sacramento Business Journal.
Editorial Sees Problems in Insurance Exchange Plans
Legislation that would create a statewide health insurance exchange “is problematic” because the panel that supervises the exchange “would be able to adopt costly, sweeping new regulations with little transparency and few checks and balances,” a San Diego Union-Tribune editorial states. The Union-Tribune adds, “It is hard to fathom why the Legislature thought it a good idea to shun basic accountability provisions in setting up such a powerful and potentially mammoth government agency.” San Diego Union-Tribune.
S.F. Alcohol Fee Gets Preliminary OK; Mayor Likely To Veto Measure
Yesterday, San Francisco supervisors voted 7-3 to give preliminary approval to an alcohol fee aimed at helping the city recover health costs related to alcohol misuse. Mayor Newsom is expected to veto the measure. San Francisco Chronicle, AP/Ventura County Star.
Study: Public Physician Data Not Predictor of Quality Care
The limited amount of publicly available data about physicians does not necessarily correlate with higher quality medical care, according to a study published this week in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Researchers from the RAND Corporation and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine said the findings suggest that publicly available physician information does not “predict which physicians will deliver high quality, evidenced-based care,” underscoring the need for more accurate physician performance data. HealthLeaders Media.
Health Care Organizations Feel Effects of Budget Impasse
Many health care providers and contractors around the state are concerned about how much longer they can continue to offer services in the absence of state funding. For example, some medical equipment vendors have stopped receiving Medi-Cal payments, and about 800 community clinics have gone unpaid since August. Controller John Chiang said California will miss about $3.1 billion in payments this month. Sacramento Bee.
Senate Defeats Efforts To Adjust Reform Law’s Tax-Reporting Provision
The Senate has voted down two amendments that would have adjusted or repealed a rule in the health reform law that places additional tax-reporting requirements on small businesses. The GOP offered one amendment, while Democrats offered another. Politico et al.
Governor Should Sign Health Care Bills, Editorial Argues
Gov. Schwarzenegger “should give special attention” to a bill that would require California insurers to cover mental health issues to the same extent that they cover other medical problems, a Vallejo Times-Herald editorial states. It continues that Schwarzenegger also should sign legislation to establish a health insurance exchange, as well as a bill to “help consumers navigate the complexities of shopping for an individual insurance policy.” Vallejo Times-Herald.
Report: Calif. Seniors Face High Costs for Health, Basic Needs
A report from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research finds that the cost of living for California seniors greatly exceeds the federal poverty level. Health care and housing account for the bulk of seniors’ living costs, according to the report. “California Watch Blog” et al.
Group Urges Obama To Advocate for Tougher Health Plan Regulations
Consumer Watchdog recently sent a letter asking President Obama to push for tougher regulations to rein in health insurance premium increases. The group said California’s Proposition 103 could be a model for prior approval of health plan rates. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”