Latest California Healthline Stories
Diabetes Tests Lag Among Medi-Cal Patients With Mental Illnesses
A new study finds that nearly three-quarters of patients with severe mental health issues who are covered by California’s Medicaid program are not adequately screened for diabetes, despite their increased risk for chronic diseases. According to the study, about 31% of such beneficiaries received no diabetes-specific screening at all. Modern Healthcare.
Group Files Lawsuit Over Alleged Nursing Home Resident Dumping
Yesterday, California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform filed a lawsuit alleging that the state has failed to enforce readmission orders for nursing home residents covered by the state’s Medicaid program who have been temporarily hospitalized. The suit seeks an injunction against the state and unspecified damages. Consumerist.
White House Launches ACA Enrollment Challenge in 20 U.S. Cities
The Obama administration has launched a challenge designed to increase enrollment through the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges in 20 cities during the third open enrollment period. The challenge includes two California cities — Long Beach and Oakland. The city that enrolls the highest percentage of uninsured residents will win the challenge and a visit from President Obama. Washington Times et al.
VA Secretary Says Wait Times Are Growing Despite Increase in Staff
Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald says patient wait times at VA health centers are rising despite the department’s efforts to increase clinic and hospital staffing to see more patients. McDonald says demand for care has grown as veterans with other sources of health coverage are increasingly seeking VA care because of its affordability, convenience and effectiveness. AP/Modern Healthcare.
Record Number of West Nile Deaths Reported in California This Year
New state data show that 32 West Nile virus-related deaths have been reported in California this year, up from 31 in all of 2014. This year’s death count is the most in a year since the California Department of Public Health started recording cases in 2003. Officials say the number of cases could continue to rise this year. Los Angeles Daily News.
Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center’s New $16.5M Expansion Awaits State Approval
Next week, state officials are scheduled to visit Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center’s new $16.5 million addition and remodel. The expanded facility, which includes two new operating rooms, a procedure room and 10 patient rooms, must receive state approval before doctors can begin treating patients. Santa Cruz Sentinel.
CalPERS Officials Informing Some Members of Error That Halted Payroll Deductions for Three Years
CalPERS officials are notifying members who were affected by a system error that caused payroll-deducted payments for service credit to go undelivered for more than three years. The error, which officials are still investigating, occurred in 2012 and affected 2,257 members who purchased Additional Retirement Service Credit, known as airtime payments. Sacramento Bee‘s “The State Worker.”
Blue Shield Sues Former Executive Over Alleged Breach of Contract
Blue Shield of California filed a lawsuit against its former policy director, Michael Johnson, over an alleged breach of contract, arguing that he took and disclosed confidential information. However, Johnson — who resigned in March and has launched a campaign against the insurer — says the case has no merit. Los Angeles Times.
Most U.S. Residents Favor Strong Health Care Cost Controls, Poll Finds
A majority of U.S. residents say they would support strong regulations to curb health care costs, according to a HealthDay/Harris Poll survey released Thursday. The survey found that 65% of respondents place “a lot” of the blame for high health care costs on drugmakers, while 62% place “a lot” of the blame on insurers and 53% direct “a lot” of the blame on the U.S. health care system as a whole. Meanwhile, 36% put “a lot” of the blame on the Affordable Care Act. HealthDay/U.S. News and World Report.
Aurora Capital Group, a Los Angeles-based private equity firm, has agreed to pay a $2.3 million settlement to the bankruptcy estate of former CalPERS board member Alfred Villalobos. Villalobos was indicted on charges of fraud, conspiracy and obstruction of justice after a long investigation into alleged fraudulent efforts to secure million-dollar pension fund investments and other self-benefiting deals. Aurora stopped paying Villalobos in 2010, arguing that his actions constituted a breach of contract. Sacramento Bee.