Latest California Healthline Stories
UnitedHealth Considers Pulling Plans From ACA Exchanges
On Thursday, UnitedHealth Group signaled it may exit the Affordable Care Act’s exchanges, an unexpected announcement that experts say raises concerns about the exchanges’ viability. United said it expects significant losses from plans offered via the ACA’s exchanges. In an earnings update released Thursday, the company revised its earnings projections for 2015 downward by $425 million because of costs related to individual plans sold on exchanges. Wall Street Journal.
VA Proposes Changes to Choice Program, Provider Payments
Department of Veterans Affairs officials are proposing changes to the VA Choice Card program that would clarify the program’s eligibility criteria, create a “high-performing network” of private providers who work with VA, improve how VA shares medical records with outside providers and streamline payment protocols. Modern Healthcare et al.
Federal Data Show U.S. Hospital Prices Increased by 2% in October
The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest Consumer Price Index shows prices for hospital services increased by 2% in October. According to the bureau, the increase marks the highest month-to-month growth in hospital prices in 2015. Modern Healthcare.
California Researchers Say Early Data Suggest Berkeley’s Soda Tax Is Working
Researchers say there is early evidence that Berkeley’s one-cent-per-ounce tax on sugary beverages is being passed on to consumers through higher prices. A researcher from UC-Berkeley School of Public Health said there is some evidence to show a link between the higher prices and reduced consumption. Meanwhile, Lynn Silver of the Public Health Institute in Oakland noted that the tax is on track to surpass proponents’ predictions of raising $1.2 million for city programs aimed at improving nutrition and health in its first year. San Jose Mercury News.
33K Adults Have Signed Up for Covered California Dental Coverage
As of Tuesday, about 6,000 new Covered California enrollees have selected an add-on family dental plan with their health coverage during the exchange’s third open enrollment period, while more than 27,000 current enrollees purchased a family dental plan when renewing their exchange coverage. Kaiser Health News et al.
Kaiser Suggests Doctors Curb Use of Chest Scans
Kaiser Permanente is tentatively recommending that doctors reconsider their use computerized chest tomographies and warn patients who undergo the procedure that nodules in the lungs are often identified in the scan. The recommendation comes after a study conducted by a Kaiser physician and researcher found a correlation between an increase in patients undergoing the test and an increase in identified lung nodules. However, the study found no corresponding increase in the rate of patients being diagnosed with lung cancer. Payers & Providers.
LAO Report Predicts $11.5B Surplus for FY 2016-2017
A Legislative Analyst’s Office report released yesterday predicts California will have an $11.5 billion surplus in fiscal year 2016-2017. LAO predicts that spending on health and human services programs will be about $150 million lower than estimated in the FY 2015-2016 state budget, while Medicaid spending will be about $47 million lower than estimated. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News” et al.
CalPERS Approves New Risk-Reduction Investment Strategy
Yesterday, the full CalPERS board approved a new risk-reduction investment strategy that will incrementally lower the fund’s annual investment forecast from 7.5% to 6.5%. Experts expect the full reduction will be completed within 21 years. During the vote, some board members said CalPERS could be more aggressive in reducing its risk. Sacramento Bee.
CSU-Sacramento Works With Community Colleges To Make Nursing Degree Transitions Easier
Starting next spring, nursing students at American River College, Sacramento City College and Sierra College will be allowed to enroll in a course at California State University-Sacramento while completing their associate degree. The program is meant to help nursing students at community colleges transition into CSU-Sacramento’s bachelor’s degree program. The initiative aims to provide a bigger pool of potential employees for the health care industry. Sacramento Business Journal.
Groups Call for More Funding To Combat Superbugs
A group of food companies and other organizations are calling on Congress to provide FDA and USDA with sufficient funding to combat superbugs. Several food companies and other organizations called for the funding in a letter sent to Reps. Robert Aderholt and Sam Farr and Sens. Jeff Merkley and Jerry Moran. The lawmakers head the House and Senate appropriations subcommittees that have authority over FDA. The organizations wrote, “We are deeply concerned that the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance … puts many people at risk for serious and life-threatening infections with few or no treatment options.” The Hill.