Latest California Healthline Stories
Tenth Co-Op Established Under ACA To Shut Down
On Tuesday, Utah officials announced that a not-for-profit cooperative health plan in the state that was established under the Affordable Care Act will shut down by the end of 2015, making it the 10th co-op to close or announce its closure this year. Officials of the co-op, called Arches Health Plan, cited insufficient risk corridors payments as a reason for its closure. Utah Health Commissioner Todd Kiser in a release said, “We are proactively working with other insurers and the federal government to fill the vacancy left by Arches, particularly in the rural areas of the state.” Modern Healthcare.
Report: Health Spending Grows 3.4%, Rx Drug Spending Jumps 8.2%
A Health Care Cost Institute report finds that spending on name-brand drugs increased by 8.2% in 2014 among U.S. residents with employer-sponsored coverage, while overall health care spending grew by 3.4%. The report attributed the spike in brand-name drug spending in part to use of high-priced hepatitis C treatments Harvoni and Sovaldi. Modern Healthcare.
House Approves Two-Year Budget Deal With Health Care Implications
Yesterday, the House voted to advance a bipartisan budget deal that includes changes to Medicare and the Affordable Care Act. The legislation now heads to the Senate, which is expected to approve the deal before next Tuesday’s deadline for suspending the country’s debt limit. The Hill et al.
Supporters Say They Have Enough Signatures for Rx Price Initiative
Supporters of an initiative that would impose price controls on drug purchases funded — directly and indirectly — by the California government say they have gathered about 550,000 signatures. They needed about 366,000 signatures to place the proposal on the November 2016 ballot. However, drugmakers are fighting the proposal. Reuters.
California Sees Largest Drop in Number of Uninsured Children
A report by Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families finds that the number of uninsured children in California dropped by 176,000 between 2013 and 2014, the largest decline of any state. California’s uninsured rate among kids was 5.4% in 2014, compared with a national average of 6%. Public News Service et al.
UCLA To Launch 35-Year, Genetic Study on Depression
Scientists at UCLA plan to launch a 35-year, genetic study that aims to improve the biological causes of depression and more effectively diagnose and treat the disease. The first 10 years of the study, called the Depression Grand Challenge, is estimated to cost about $525 million, according to UCLA. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
On Wednesday, California Health and Human Services Secretary Diana Dooley defended the state’s plan to close the Sonoma Developmental Center by 2018, noting that the “short time frame” is being spurred by financial pressures and federal mandates related to providing care for individuals with disabilities outside of institutionalized settings. Family members and disability advocates have raised concerns about the planned closure and the continuance of care for its more than 400 patients. Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
88 California Hospitals Receive Top Marks for Patient Safety
The Leapfrog Group’s most recent Hospital Safety Scores give 88 California facilities an “A” grade for patient safety, down from 108 at the same time last year. California ranked 11th in the country for the highest percentage of hospitals receiving an “A” grade. Healthcare Finance News et al.
Panel Recommends Diabetes Testing for All Overweight Adults Ages 40 to 70, Regardless of Symptoms
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has recommended that all overweight adults ages 40 to 70 be tested for abnormal blood sugar levels and type 2 diabetes, regardless of whether they display symptoms for the conditions. In the updated recommendations, USPSTF said that individuals who fall into the new screening requirements be screened through blood testing or two other tests that require fasting. If the results come back abnormal, the tests should be run again to ensure their accuracy. HealthDay/U.S. News & World Report.
Calif. Considers Adding Processed, Red Meats to List of Substances Known To Increase Cancer Risk
California is considering whether processed meat and red meat should be included on a list of substances known to increase cancer risk that is maintained by the state under Proposition 65. Under Prop. 65, producers are required to put a “clear and reasonable” warning label on the product about the cancer risk. On Monday, the International Agency for Research on Cancer — part of the World Health Organization — released research finding that processed meats, such as bacon and hot dogs, can cause cancer. Reuters.