Latest California Healthline Stories
Bill Would Improve Patient Access to Rx Pain Treatment
A bill (AB 1826) that has cleared the Assembly and is pending in the Senate would prohibit health insurers from requiring patients to try over-the-counter pain medications before prescription pain drugs are covered. Under the practice known as “step therapy” or “fail first,” patients can take up to five nonprescription drugs before receiving coverage for treatments their physicians prescribe. Sacramento Bee.
Lawmakers Urge Quick Start on CMS In-Home Care Project
Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) have asked CMS to start early on implementing the “Independence at Home” program, a three-year Medicare demonstration project designed to provide in-home care to seniors with multiple chronic conditions. Proponents of the program — which was outlined in the new health reform law — say it would ensure better care for seniors and reduce Medicare expenditures by curbing costly emergency department visits. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Signatures for Tobacco Tax Increase Submitted for Spot on 2012 Ballot
Supporters of the California Cancer Research Act say they have submitted more than enough petition signatures to put the proposed initiative on the 2012 ballot. The measure would raise tobacco taxes by one dollar per pack to help fund cancer research. San Jose Mercury News et al.
State Mammogram Program Changes To Remain in Effect
Changes to eligibility for California’s Every Woman Counts program will continue indefinitely, as state lawmakers continue to hammer out a budget deal. A freeze on new enrollment will continue beyond June 30, and women younger than age 50 will continue to be ineligible for services. Previously, women ages 40 and older could receive services through the program. AP/Ventura County Star.
Editorial: California Taking Crucial Health Reform Steps
“While some states continue to resist the new federal health reform law, California is embracing it and Californians will be better off for it,” a Sacramento Bee editorial states. The editorial commends lawmakers and Gov. Schwarzenegger for a new law implementing a high-risk insurance pool, as well as California insurers for early implementation of a reform law provision allowing dependents up to age 26 to remain covered by their parents’ health plans. Sacramento Bee.
WellPoint Breach Could Have Exposed Enrollees’ Medical, Financial Data
A recent security breach at WellPoint might have jeopardized individual policyholders’ medical records, Social Security numbers and other data. The insurer’s California subsidiary Anthem Blue Cross had the largest number of potentially affected members AP/Los Angeles Times et al.
Salk Institute Nabs $6.5M To Research HIV, Other Diseases
Switzerland’s Nomis Foundation has donated $6.5 million to the Salk Institute for Biological Research in La Jolla to support research on how the human body reacts to HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and other chronic infections. A spokesperson for the Salk Institute said $2 million of the donated funds will go toward creating an endowed chair for the research efforts. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Study: Some Hospitals at Disadvantage Under Pay-for-Performance Model
A study finds that pay-for-performance models could penalize hospitals in underserved communities and exacerbate regional disparities in care. Researchers recommend that CMS’ pay-for-performance system use a hospital’s baseline score to measure gains. Reuters, PLoS Medicine.
Kaiser Workers File for Union Elections Between SEIU, Rival Union NUHW
Yesterday, Kaiser Permanente employees filed petitions for elections that would allow workers to leave Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West and join the National Union of Healthcare Workers. Sacramento Business Journal, Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
Assembly Health Panel Approves Single-Payer Health Care Proposal
Sen. Mark Leno’s SB 810 aims to lay the groundwork for a single-payer health care system in California. Gov. Schwarzenegger is expected to veto the legislation if it reaches his desk. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”