Latest California Healthline Stories
MRMIB Hammering Out Details About Federal High-Risk Pool
Yesterday, the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board tentatively decided that California will operate a new federal high-risk insurance pool alongside the state’s existing high-risk program. MRMIB also decided on a $1,500 annual deductible for the federal pool. Sacramento Bee.
Sacramento County Eyes Retiree Health Subsidy Cuts
A mix of one-time funds, revised sales tax revenue projections and savings from reducing a health insurance subsidy for Sacramento County retirees will provide $35 million in funding that could be used to partly offset planned budget cuts. The county is weighing a number of health and human services cuts to address a $122 million budget shortfall. The reduced subsidy will only affect county employees who retired prior to June 1, 2007. Newer retirees who are members of unions that had filed grievances against a county plan to eliminate the subsidies will continue to receive assistance at the current level. Sacramento Bee.
Study: Profit, Revenue Growing Among Long-Term Care Facilities
Net income among California’s long-term care operators increased from $70 million in 2003 to nearly $448 million in 2007, according to a new state study. The study also found that long-term care facilities outpaced acute-care hospitals in revenue growth. Payers & Providers.
CalPERS Panel Calls for Hiking Health Premiums by an Average of 9.1%
Yesterday, a California Public Employees Retirement System panel recommended premium hikes and other measures designed to help it control rising health costs. CalPERS officials also voted to increase the state’s contribution to the pension fund. Sacramento Bee et al.
Fresno County Mental Health Cuts Limit Treatment Options
Health officials say Fresno County is experiencing a shortage of psychiatrists partly as a result of major cuts to the county’s mental health care system. In recent years, the county has attempted to reduce spending by closing or scaling back outpatient mental health clinics and limiting psychiatric care to the most seriously ill. Officials currently are considering closing Fresno County’s Psychiatric Health Facility, which provides inpatient mental health care for an average of five days. Fresno Bee.
Children’s Hospital Permitted To Use Stem Cell Technology
After three years of negotiations, Palo Alto-based StemCells will allow Children’s Hospital of Orange County use of its technology to extract stem cells. Under the agreement, the hospital can use the StemCells technology to extract, grow and use neural stem cells for noncommercial purposes. The company previously had objected to a hospital researcher’s use of the technology and his donation of extracted cells to other scientists. San Jose Mercury News.
Association Calls for Easing Into Medical-Loss Ratio Rules
Officials from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners have said that the medical-loss ratio rules contained in the new health reform law could disrupt the insurance market and negatively affect consumers. Under the overhaul, large health plans beginning on Jan. 1, 2011, will be required to spend at least 85% of premiums on medical services and quality improvement, rather than administrative costs or profits. NAIC has requested that the federal government allow a three-year transition in states with insurance markets that could be most affected by the new rules. New York Times.
GOP Attempt To Repeal Individual Mandate Fails in House Vote Tuesday
Yesterday, the House voted to reject a Republican proposal to repeal a provision in the federal health reform law that requires most residents to obtain health insurance coverage. Some GOP lawmakers say the party scored political points with the proposal. Roll Call et al.
Survey: Adults’ Preparedness for Care While Aging Varies
Forty-seven percent of U.S. adults say they are somewhat prepared to provide for their personal needs as they age, while 27% say they are prepared, 16% say they are unprepared and 6% say they are very prepared, according to a survey from CommonHealth Action. The survey also showed that 32% of people plan to care for themselves and 90% of adults believe the Internet and social networking will be a source of help with personal care needs. Full results of the survey will be available in August. United Press International.
Sacramento Faces Tough Choices on Health Programs
Administrators of Sacramento County programs serving vulnerable populations told the Board of Supervisors yesterday that planned cuts for health and human services programs would have dire consequences. The county faces a $122 million budget deficit in the fiscal year beginning July 1. Programs that could be affected by budget cuts include dental care, primary health care, mental health, and services for children and the homeless. Sacramento Bee.