Latest California Healthline Stories
CMS Announces $32M Initiative To Boost Enrollment of Uninsured Children in Medicaid, CHIP
This week, CMS announced a $32 million initiative aimed at enrolling more uninsured children in health coverage through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. The funding will be used to identify children who likely are eligible for the programs, provide information on the programs to low-income families and help with first-time and renewal applications. AP/Healthcare Finance News.
Switching Exchange Plans Could Save Consumers Money, Study Finds
A Kaiser Family Foundation study finds that U.S. residents who enrolled in the lowest-cost, silver-level plan through the federal exchange last year likely will see an average 15% premium increase for the 2016 coverage year unless they switch plans. Washington Post‘s “To Your Health” et al.
CalPERS Mulls Risk-Reduction Plan That Could Boost Taxpayer Costs
Today, the CalPERS board is expected to vote on a risk-reduction plan that would incrementally lower the fund’s annual investment forecast from 7.5% to 6.5% over several decades, which would shrink CalPERS’ future returns. Taxpayers likely would need to cover more of the pension fund’s costs as a result. Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee.
Blue Shield, DMHC at Odds Over Terms of Recent Acquisition Deal
State officials say that Blue Shield of California is backing out of a charitable pledge of an extra $140 million under a recent acquisition deal. However, the insurer said the terms of the agreement call for a minimum donation of $14 million annually, noting that the deal does not require Blue Shield to pay more than its annual foundation contributions of about $35 million. Los Angeles Times.
Health Policy Experts Propose Long-Term Care Coverage Options
New research in Health Affairs details three hypothetical long-term care health plans that experts say could reform coverage for such services. The authors note that the number of U.S. adults who will need long-term care services is projected to grow by 140% by 2055. Modern Healthcare.
UC-San Francisco Receives $10M Donation To Develop Treatments for Autoimmune Diseases
On Tuesday, UC-San Francisco announced that Silicon Valley entrepreneur and philanthropist Sean Parker has donated $10 million to create a new research laboratory for autoimmune diseases. The lab will focus on better understanding autoimmunity to help create new treatments for diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, sclerosis and Type 1 diabetes. San Francisco Chronicle.
Abortion-Rights Opponents Seek To Block California Pregnancy Center Notification Law
The Pacific Justice Institute, a conservative legal defense organization, is seeking an injunction against a new California law that requires state-licensed pregnancy clinics to display a sign informing patients about how they can access no- or low-cost contraceptives, prenatal care and abortions. Pacific Justice Institute President Brad Dacus says the law violates the First Amendment rights of antiabortion crisis pregnancy centers. However, supporters of the law say women need to be informed about all of their options. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Stakeholders Tout Medi-Cal Eligibility for Former Inmates
A 2013 state law allows former inmates to enroll in coverage under California’s Medicaid program, but awareness among such individuals is low. As a result, stakeholders — including Californians for Safety and Justice, which sponsored the law — are ramping up outreach efforts. Los Angeles Times.
FDA Unveils Open-Source Genomic Data-Sharing Platform
Last week, FDA unveiled a new open-source genomic data-sharing platform as part of President Obama’s precision medicine initiative. FDA’s Office of Health Informatics contracted with cloud-based genome informatics and data management company DNAnexus to create the precisionFDA platform. The platform will allow users to crowdsource reference data sets and evaluate bioinformatics workflows. FierceHealthIT.
Many Unable To Afford Care Under High-Deductible Health Plans Offered Through the ACA’s Exchanges
Many consumers with health plans purchased through the Affordable Care Act’s exchanges say the plans’ deductibles are so high that they cannot afford to use their coverage. The high deductibles caused some individuals to drop their health plans and instead pay fines for not complying with the ACA’s individual mandate. In multiple states, more than half the health plans available through the federal exchange had annual deductibles of $3,000. New York Times.