Latest California Healthline Stories
New Law Adds Protections for Health Insurance Broker Contracts
Gov. Brown has signed a bill that requires health plans to provide brokers with 45 days’ notice before making major changes to their contracts. Experts say the protection is necessary to help agents who assist Californians enroll in coverage late in the year. Sacramento Business Journal.
12-Country Trade Deal Has Health Care Implications
On Monday, the U.S. and 11 Pacific Rim nations reached an agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, a sweeping package of economic provisions that could have wider effects on health care. Among other things, the TPP would protects biologic manufacturers’ exclusivity for at least five and up to eight years and no longer allow tobacco companies to use arbitration panels to sue countries that pass anti-smoking legislation. Congress now has about 90 days to review and vote on the deal before sending it to President Obama. New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post.
Startup Redistributes Rx Drugs in Calif., Other States
A not-for-profit startup that uses an online platform to connect licensed industry donors with unused, unexpired prescription drugs to facilities that serve low-income patients has redistributed $4.3 million worth of drugs to about 80,000 patients. SIRUM, which is funded by the California HealthCare Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, has signed up more than 200 donors and redistributed drugs in California, Colorado, Ohio and Oregon. CHCF publishes California Healthline. Wall Street Journal.
GAO: Value-Based Purchasing Program Not Linked to Better Quality
A new Government Accountability Office report finds that hospitals were improving quality measures prior to the start of Medicare’s Value-Based Purchasing program in October 2012 and that those improvements did not accelerate under the program. However, GAO says the program could prove more effective over time as it “implements planned changes.” Kaiser Health News, GAO report.
Open Enrollment in CalPERS Health Benefits Ends Friday
Friday is the last day for CalPERS members to select their health benefits. Experts say that Kaiser Permanente, which leads CalPERS enrollment with about 38% of the 1.4 million CalPERS members, is likely to retain its members because of its relatively low 2016 rate increase for state workers. Sacramento Business Journal.
New Ballot Initiatives Target Future Workers’ Pension Benefits
Former San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and former San Diego council member Carl DeMaio have filed two new ballot initiatives that seek to alter future workers’ pension benefits. Reed said that supporters will decide which of the two plans to put forward after state Attorney General Kamala Harris issues titles and summaries for the measures. Sacramento Bee‘s “The State Worker.”
DHCS Launches Updated Phone System for Medi-Cal Beneficiaries
Officials say a new phone system for Medicaid managed care beneficiaries in California can handle 500 calls at one time and will determine the demand for services, measure the number of abandoned calls and wait times, and store data from calls and emails online. Advocates say additional staffing still is needed. HealthyCal, DHCS briefing.
California Becomes Fifth State To Legalize Physician-Assisted Death
Yesterday, Gov. Brown signed a bill to make physician-assisted death legal in California. The law will not take effect until 90 days after the Legislature votes to end the special session, which is expected to happen early next year. Brown’s decision to sign the bill drew both praise and criticism from stakeholders. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert” et al.
San Francisco, Nevada Reach Tentative $400K Settlement Over Patient Busing Lawsuit
The city and county of San Francisco have reached a tentative agreement with Nevada over allegations that the state wrongfully and intentionally bused patients with mental illnesses to the area and did not cover the costs of their care. Under the agreement, which must be approved by boards in Nevada and San Francisco, Nevada would pay $400,000 to compensate the city and county for costs related to the patients. AP/Sacramento Bee.
Report Explores Migratory Effects on Latinos’ Health
Many Latino immigrants eat less healthy foods after they move to the U.S., according to a report from UC-Berkeley’s Health Initiative of the Americas. Meanwhile, about one-third of adult Mexican immigrants diagnosed with diabetes are uninsured, according to the report. California Report.