Latest California Healthline Stories
Washington Post Editorial Commends Brown for Signing Physician-Assisted Death Bill
A Washington Post editorial calls Gov. Brown’s signing of a bill to legalize physician-assisted death in California “a victory for the death-with-dignity movement that may inspire other states to follow.” The editorial adds, “It is critical that the state implement the measure with the same care that characterized its deliberations.” It concludes, “How well California implements its law could help determine if residents of other states will be able to find similar comfort.” Washington Post.
53% of Uninsured Californians Eligible for Medi-Cal, ACA Subsidies
A new Kaiser Family Foundation report finds that 53% of uninsured Californians qualify for either Medicaid coverage or subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, more than 50% of the nearly 1.8 million uninsured residents who do not qualify for Medicaid or subsidies are ineligible because of their immigration status. KPCC’s “KPCC News,” KQED’s “State of Health.”
ACA Exchanges Face Challenges Retaining Existing Enrollees
The number of U.S. residents enrolled in state or federal health insurance exchange plans dropped by about 15% between the end of the Affordable Care Act’s most recent open enrollment season in February and June. Experts point to cost and confusion as possible reasons why individuals with exchange plans drop or lose coverage. New York Times.
Brown Vetoes Medi-Cal Bills, Citing Expected $1.1B Budget Deficit
On Saturday, Gov. Brown vetoed several proposed tax credits and six Medicaid bills that would have added new health benefits for low-income residents. In his veto messages, Brown cited a $1.1 billion deficit resulting from the state Legislature’s failure to rework the expiring managed care organization tax. KQED’s “The California Report” et al.
Bill To Improve Alzheimer’s Disease Care Signed Into Law
Gov. Brown has signed into law legislation that seeks to improve the diagnosis, treatment and care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. The bill, by state Sen. Ben Allen, requires the California Department of Public Health to update physician guidelines for managing Alzheimer’s and dementia. Santa Monica Daily Press.
Covered California To Expand Definition of Small Businesses to Those With 100 Employees
During a Covered California board meeting last week, Covered California Executive Director Peter Lee said the exchange would move ahead with plans to expand the definition of a small business from one with 50 employees to one with 100 employees. Last week, President Obama signed into law a bill that allows states to choose how they define small businesses. Sacramento Business Journal.
California Adopts Strict Limits on Antibiotic Use in Food-Producing Livestock
Citing an “urgent public health problem,” Gov. Brown on Saturday signed a bill to limit the amount of antibiotics used on livestock, which can contribute to antibiotic-resistant diseases among humans. The bill — which goes into effect, Jan. 1, 2018 — requires medications given to livestock to be approved by a veterinarian. In a signing message, Brown said, “The science is clear that the overuse of antibiotics in livestock has contributed to the spread of antibiotic resistance and the undermining of decades of life-saving advances in medicine.” AP/KQED’s “State of Health” et al.
Brown Approves Subsidize Calif. Farmworkers’ Health Plan
On Friday, Gov. Brown signed a bill to subsidize the United Farm Workers’ health plan for an extra five years. Earlier this year, Brown provided the health plan — which does not meet Affordable Care Act standards — with two years of funding. The legislation will supply up to $3 million annually for an additional five years. Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal.”
Brown OKs Bills To Establish Medical Marijuana Regulations
Last week, Gov. Brown signed a package of three bills to establish statewide medical marijuana regulations. In a signing message, Brown said the bills create “a long-overdue comprehensive regulatory framework” and “will make sure patients have access to medical marijuana.” Sacramento Business Journal.
New Law Will Expand Medi-Cal to 170K Undocumented Children
Last week, Gov. Brown signed a bill implementing $40 million allocated in the fiscal year 2015-2016 state budget to extend Medicaid coverage to undocumented immigrant children under age 19. State Sen. Ricardo Lara, who proposed the bill, says it could pave the way for extending health care to all undocumented immigrants in the state. Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal.”