Latest California Healthline Stories
Health Plan of San Joaquin Employees Take ‘Unity Break’ Over Concerns About Management, Outsourcing
On Tuesday, about 70 employees at Health Plan of San Joaquin, the area’s largest Medi-Cal managed care plan, took a 15-minute “unity break” to express dissatisfaction with management, concerns about low morale and concerns about the county agency outsourcing jobs. The employees are represented by Service Employees International Union 1021. Stockton Record.
CalPERS Launches Open Enrollment Period
This week, CalPERS launched its open enrollment period, which will run through Oct. 9. The pension fund is offering 12 plans for next year and has upgraded its website with resources to educate consumers on choosing the best plan. Sacramento Bee‘s “The State Worker.”
CDC Releases New Recommendations To Combat Superbug Outbreaks in Nursing Homes
CDC on Tuesday released new recommendations intended to help nursing homes curb the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. CDC’s new recommendations include seven core elements that encourage education and observation in an effort to combat the misuse of antibiotics, which can help bacteria become resistant to the drugs. The Hill, Modern Healthcare.
CMS Will Enforce Rule on Individual Out-of-Pocket Spending Caps
HealthCare.gov CEO Kevin Counihan says the Obama administration will enforce individual out-of-pocket spending caps for consumers, regardless of whether consumers have an individual or family health plan. A final rule released in February placed a $6,850 cap on annual out-of-pocket costs for individual plans. Modern Healthcare.
Individual Mandate Repeal Would Save $300B, Raise Uninsured Rate
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that repealing the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate would save more than $300 billion in federal health care spending over the next 10 years. However, CBO also notes that such a repeal could cause insurance premiums to increase by 20% and raise the number of uninsured U.S. residents by about 14 million. The Hill, Washington Times.
DPH Hopes To Expand Cancer Registry Project to More Hospitals
The California Department of Public Health has been working with St. Joseph Health System on a first-of-its kind research project to track cancer trends across the state by sending data to the California Cancer Registry. The state hopes to expand participation in the project, but it could face resistance from some providers. HealthyCal.
15 Charged in One of Largest Insurance Fraud Scams in Calif. History
Yesterday, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office alleged that a doctor and 14 associates took part in “one of the largest insurance scams in state history.” According to two indictments unsealed Tuesday, the providers fraudulently billed insurers for about $150 million. AP/KPCC’s “KPCC News,” Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
Obama Nominates Former Duke University Scientist To Oversee FDA
On Tuesday, President Obama nominated former Duke University scientist Robert Califf to be the next FDA commissioner. FDA has been without a confirmed commissioner since Margaret Hamburg stepped down from the post in March. Stephen Ostroff, FDA’s former chief scientist, is serving as acting commissioner. In January, Califf became the deputy FDA commissioner for medical products and tobacco. Prior to his time at FDA, Califf was the founding director of the world’s largest academic research organization — Duke’s Clinical Research Institute — a professor of medicine, a researcher on pharmaceuticals and vice chancellor for clinical and translational research.
Google Invests $32.5M in Insurance Startup Oscar Health
Google Capital has invested $32.5 million in insurance startup Oscar Health Insurance, which is working to use data and technology to transform the insurance business into an Internet-like service. Oscar Founder and CEO Mario Schlosser said Google could one day work with the insurer to help distribute new health IT tools to consumers. Wall Street Journal.
Los Angeles Times Editorials Call on Brown To Sign Medical Marijuana, ‘Right-To-Die’ Bills
A Los Angeles Times editorial urges Gov. Brown to sign into law a legislative package that seeks to create a regulatory framework for the state’s medical marijuana industry and to “stay focused on ensuring their smooth, effective implementation.” Meanwhile, a separate Los Angeles Times editorial criticizes state lawmakers for using the special session to pass a “right-to-die” bill but argues Brown should sign the measure. Los Angeles Times.