Latest California Healthline Stories
Despite Low Understanding of ‘Cadillac Tax’, Most Voters Want it Repealed, Delayed
A majority of U.S. voters say the Affordable Care Act’s so-called “Cadillac tax” will harm health care quality, according to a Morning Consult poll released Wednesday. Under the ACA, employers that offer health plans with annual premiums of more than $10,200 for individuals or $27,500 for families will pay a 40% excise tax on the portion of the premiums that exceeds those thresholds. The poll found that about seven in 10 respondents said the Cadillac tax should be “repealed” or “delayed.” Meanwhile, the poll also found that about seven in 10 people said they were “unsure” or “mistaken” in their understanding of the tax. The Hill.
GAO Finds Federal Gov’t Paid for Duplicate Coverage Under ACA
A Government Accountability Office report released yesterday finds that some individuals received subsidies to help them purchase exchange coverage while they were also enrolled in Medicaid. In a separate investigation, GAO successfully acquired Medicaid coverage and Affordable Care Act subsidies for fake U.S. residents. New York Times et al.
Report: Counties Play ‘Crucial Role’ in California Health Care Reform
A new report finds that California counties play a key role in health care reform within the state. For example, the state’s counties have been key financial drivers in Affordable Care Act implementation. Still, the report notes that counties must prepare new funding strategies as existing policies end and new ones take effect. State of Reform, California HealthCare Foundation report.
Calif. Improves Palliative Care, but Disparities Remain, Reports Find
Two separate reports find that more California hospitals provide palliative care, but disparities in access remain and could be exacerbated by growing demand as the population ages. One report finds that 74% of hospitals offer some type of palliative care program, up from 56% in 2008. San Jose Mercury News, CAPC/NPCRC report.
DHCS, Xerox in Discussions on Replacement for Medi-Cal Case Management System
This week, the state Department of Health Care Services said discussions are underway with Xerox on plans to replace the Medi-Cal case management system. Last week, Xerox announced that it will not finish implementing a new $1.7 billion system, called the California Medicaid Management Information System, that was intended to replace the current, 30-year-old system that processes payments for the Medi-Cal fee-for-service program. Techwire.
DPH Survey Finds Illegal Tobacco Sales to Minors Down
A recent survey released by the California Department of Public Health finds that the rate of illegal tobacco sales to minors by retail outlets in the state was 7.6% this year, compared with 9% last year. DPH Director Karen Smith said, “For seven consecutive years, the rate of illegal tobacco sales to minors has remained under 10%,” but she noted that the state is aiming to reduce the rate to 5% or less by 2020. Smith said, “I’m concerned that too many stores, especially certain types such as tobacco-only stores and convenience stores, are willing to illegally sell tobacco products to youth.” Turlock Journal.
Blue Shield of Calif. CEO Pledges Transparency, Quality Improvements
Facing criticism over executive pay, quality and large surpluses, Blue Shield of California CEO Paul Markovich has promised to improve the not-for-profit insurer’s poor ratings from patients and disclose more information about executive compensation. Los Angeles Times.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of October 23, 2015
The Marin Healthcare District board has agreed to provide Marin General Hospital with at least $400,000 to improve its mental health services. Sutter Health has launched a new Spanish-language website and is among four finalists bidding to run Petaluma Valley Hospital.
The California Pharmacists Association is considering pushing for legislation or regulations to increase pharmacists’ role in managing patients’ medications. According to experts, nearly two-thirds of patients do not accurately adhere to their prescribed medications. If they did, experts say the U.S. could save about $300 billion annually. CPA President Sarah McBane said, “There’s a lot of reasons why people don’t take their medications … [a]nd pharmacists, because that’s what we think about, will dig a little deeper sometimes to figure out those problems.” Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Calif. Medical Board Urges Residents To Check Whether Their Physician Is on Probation
The Medical Board of California is urging residents to use the agency’s website to determine whether their doctor is on probation. The board regulates more than 130,000 physicians with active California licenses, and nearly 500 are on probation. Disciplinary information is available online, but many consumers are unaware or forget to check. Sacramento Business Journal.