Latest California Healthline Stories
CalChoice Seen as Example for Health Insurance Exchanges
About 10,000 small businesses in California use a health insurance exchange called CaliforniaChoice, or CalChoice, to purchase coverage for their workers. CalChoice offers health plans from Health Net, Kaiser Permanente, Sharp Health Plan and Western Health Advantage. The exchange will begin offering Anthem Blue Cross of California plans starting in June. Experts say it is unclear whether CalChoice will play a role in California’s efforts to implement the health insurance exchanges required under the new federal health reform law. Sacramento Business Journal.
Calif. Health Officials Worried Over Rise in Whooping Cough
Between January and March of this year, California reported nearly twice as many cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, compared with the same period last year. The rise in pertussis cases has prompted health officials in Stanislaus County to encourage residents to obtain a booster vaccine. Modesto Bee.
Appellate Court Rejects Gov.’s Bid To Remove Prison Medical Receiver
On Friday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a district court ruling rejecting Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s attempt to remove the court-appointed prison health care receiver and halt prison hospital construction plans. Sacramento Bee, AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
California Health Care Personnel News Update for April 2010
Lakewood Regional Medical Center has named Joseph Badalian to a new position as CEO and HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has appointed California Recovery Task Force Director Herb Schultz to serve as director of HHS’ Region IX.
Recent CIRM Grantees Hope To Unearth Stem Cell Basics
The California Institute of Regenerative Medicine awarded $28 million in Basic Biology II awards to nine not-for-profit groups and one for-profit group. The awards are for research that will find answers about basic stem cell biology, a necessary step in developing effective treatments, CIRM President Alan Thomas said. San Francisco Business Times.
California, Other States Take Aim at Discount Health Plans
California and a few other states have increased regulation of discount health plans, for which consumers pay a fee to obtain reduced prices for health services, after advocates and consumers have raised concern that the plans do not make good on their promises. In February, Department of Managed Health Care Director Cindy Ehnes charged one such plan, Easy Life, and its parent company, HealthCare One, with illegally operating in the state and ordered it to stop doing business in California. Kaiser Health News.
Santa Clara Votes No on Toys in Unhealthy Children’s Meals
Santa Clara County restaurants will be prohibited from giving away toys with children’s meals if those meals exceed certain dietary guidelines, under a move by the county Board of Supervisors that aims to curb unhealthy food. To include a toy with a meal, the meal must not have more than 485 calories — more than 35% of calories cannot come from fat and more than 10% of calories cannot come from added sweeteners — and more than 600 milligrams of sodium. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Blue Shield Launches Social Media-Based Q&A Forum
Blue Shield of California has launched a new online social media forum called “Ask & Answer” that allows members to ask questions and share information on allergies, dental care, nutrition, women’s health, first aid and other health issues. Blue Shield officials said they would provide customer service referrals to members who pose questions about specific health insurance plans. San Francisco Business Times.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of April 30, 2010
A new report finds that inefficiencies at Santa Clara’s Valley Medical Center are increasing costs and making it hard for patients to access care. Meanwhile, Southwest Healthcare System is appealing $225,000 worth of fines for alleged patient safety violations.
Anthem Blue Cross To Withdraw Planned Rate Hikes, Could Refile Soon
Yesterday, WellPoint announced that Anthem Blue Cross of California has withdrawn its request to raise premium rates by as much as 39% for individual policyholders. Anthem officials said they would consider filing a new rate proposal soon. Los Angeles Times et al.