Latest California Healthline Stories
California Lawmakers To Revive Rx Drug Cost Transparency Bill
California lawmakers are planning to revive legislation aimed at increasing prescription drug cost transparency after such efforts stalled in the Legislature last year. Assembly member David Chiu says growing “discontent” with high costs could help garner support for the bill this year. KQED’s “State of Health.”
Sutter Health, Anthem Blue Cross Reach New Multi-Year Contract Agreement
On Friday, Sutter Health and Anthem Blue Cross announced that they have approved a new multi-year agreement. The previous agreement, which expired in December 2015, was reached after two years of contentious negotiations. Sacramento Business Journal.
University of California Health Officials Project Growth Amid Shifting Payer Mix
University of California Health officials are projecting growth as it continues to transition to value-based care and adjusts to a payer mix that is quickly shifting to Medicaid. Officials told investors about new efforts to improve collaboration among UC Health hospitals to help increase purchasing power, reduce costs and manage care for special populations. Modern Healthcare.
Nurses Protest at SCOTUS Case on Union Representation Fees in Calif.
Yesterday, nurses protested over a Supreme Court case challenging unions’ right to require representation fees from employees who receive benefits, such as higher wages and safer working conditions. National Nurses United says the case, which involves the California Teachers Association, could have negative effects for the health care industry. Becker’s Hospital Review et al.
A Senate Finance Committee work group has released a report that outlines several potential policy changes for telehealth services provided to Medicare beneficiaries for chronic care management. The proposals outlined in the report have not received the group’s endorsement. However, if they are accepted, they would make telehealth the preferred method of care delivery for millions of Medicare beneficiaries. mHealth Intelligence.
Nearly 1.4M U.S. Households Left ACA Subsidies Out of Tax Returns in 2014, IRS Data Show
Nearly 1.4 million U.S. households that received subsidies to help them purchase health coverage under the Affordable Care Act in 2014 did not properly account for the assistance on their tax returns last year, according to IRS data released Friday. About 976,000 filed their taxes for 2014 but omitted Form 8962, which is used to report the subsidies. In addition, about 316,000 did not file their taxes for 2014 and about 147,000 requested extensions to file their 2014 taxes but never filed. Modern Healthcare.
City of Industry Pays Double the State Average for Public Employees’ Health Benefits, Data Show
The city of Industry paid an average of $42,770 per employee for health benefits in 2014 — more than double the state average for the cost of such benefits for public workers, according to data released by Transparent California. Nadereh Pourat, director of research for UCLA’s Center for Health Policy Research, said the findings are “very odd,” adding, “It boggles the mind, I don’t know what that money could be spent on.” City Manager Paul Philips said city staff will review the costs, but he questioned the accuracy of Transparent California’s numbers. San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
President Obama Vetoes Budget Reconciliation Bill With ACA Repeals
President Obama has vetoed a budget reconciliation bill that would have repealed major provisions of the Affordable Care Act, including both the individual and employer mandates. The House is scheduled on Jan. 26 to hold a vote to override the veto, but the chamber likely does not have enough votes to do so. New York Times et al.
Bill Would Ban Cigarettes, Vaping at California College Campuses
Assembly member Kevin McCarty has introduced a bill that would ban traditional and electronic cigarettes on California State University and community college campuses. Under the bill, campuses could impose fines up to $100, and proceeds from such fines would be used to support tobacco cessation programs, among other things. Sacramento Bee, AB 1594.
Advocates Urge Calif. Regulators To Scrutinize Health Plan Mergers
Consumer advocates are calling on regulators in California and other states to closely scrutinize proposed mergers between some of the nation’s largest health insurers, including proposals for Anthem to merge with Cigna and Aetna to merge with Humana. Advocates cite the potential for fewer options and higher costs. Los Angeles Times.