Latest California Healthline Stories
L.A. County Board of Supervisors Calls for Chaperones During Sensitive Medical Exams
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors called for requiring chaperones at sensitive medical exams — such as breast and pelvic exams — in health care facilities across the country. The chaperone could be a registered nurse, nursing assistant or medical evaluation assistant. The move comes after the county paid a $1.3 million settlement over allegations of sexual molestation by a physician. Los Angeles Daily News.
AMA Calls on DOJ To Block Proposed Health Insurer Mergers
In a letter to Assistant Attorney General William Baer, the American Medical Association says the proposed mergers between Anthem and Cigna, as well as Aetna and Humana, would decrease competition and have a negative effect on consumers. However, the insurers argue the mergers, which are subject to federal approval, would bolster competition. The Hill et al.
2016 ACA Exchange Plans Have Higher Premiums, Smaller Networks
Individual analyses by Avalere Health, McKinsey and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation show health insurance plans being sold through the Affordable Care Act’s exchanges for the 2016 coverage year have narrower provider networks and higher premium increases than they did this year. Modern Healthcare‘s “Vital Signs,” Politico.
Many Calif. Not-for-Profit Hospital System Execs Paid More Than $1M
An analysis finds that 66 senior executives at California’s three largest not-for-profit hospital systems — Dignity Health, Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health — are paid more than $1 million. A white paper on the analysis and its findings will be released this month. Payers & Providers.
California Colleges Bolstering Student Mental Health Interventions
California colleges increasingly are encouraging faculty to intervene when students show signs of mental health issues. For example, some campuses have adopted tools to help faculty identify common mental health situations and ways to respond to them, such as the University of California’s Red Folder guide. Los Angeles Times.
Majority of Californians Approve of Rx Drug Price Initiative
A poll released by the Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation finds that 76% of Californians would support a ballot measure to reduce prescription drug costs in the state. The initiative would impose price controls on prescription drug purchases funded — directly and indirectly — by the state. Sacramento Business Journal.
On Thursday, California is expected to award $500 million to 15 counties to improve rehabilitation programs, medical and mental health care at jails. However, some opponents object to the state spending money on jails amid a national movement to reduce the inmate population and plan to protest the funding at the Board of State Community Corrections meeting. AP/Sacramento Bee.
Kaiser Mental Health Workers To Strike on Monday Over Inadequate Staffing Levels
About 1,400 Northern California mental health care workers are scheduled to strike on Monday over inadequate staffing levels at Kaiser Permanente hospitals. The National Union of Healthcare Workers, which represents the workers, has called for the strike amid ongoing contract negotiations. Kaiser in a statement said the union and hospital are at an impasse over wage increases and accountability expectations. Inside Bay Area.
Fines imposed on health care providers who commit fraud or violate certain other regulations will increase under a provision included in a two-year budget deal signed into law last week. The agreement says civil monetary penalties must reflect inflation by no later than August 2016. Modern Healthcare.
AHA, Google Team Up on Five-Year, $50M Heart Disease Prevention Research Project
The American Heart Association and Google Life Sciences this week announced a five-year, $50 million joint research project that aims to develop new treatments and ways to prevent coronary heart disease. The joint research project — called “1 Team, 1 Vision, $50,000,000” — was announced at an AHA conference. Wall Street Journal.