Latest California Healthline Stories
Assembly OKs Bill To Strengthen Digital Data Protections
On Tuesday, the California Assembly voted 55-11 to pass a bill that would require law enforcement agencies to obtain search warrants before accessing an individual’s electronic communications, such as private emails and text messages. Supporters of the bill say such protections are needed in the digital age to protect consumers from unreasonable government intrusion, while opponents say it could hamper law enforcement efforts to combat online crime. The bill now returns to the Senate. AP/CBS San Francisco.
New Proposed Rule Bars Health Care Providers, Insurers From Discriminating Based on Gender Identity
The Obama administration on Thursday released a proposed rule that would bar providers and insurers from discriminating against patients based on gender identity. The proposal, which is open for public comment through Nov. 6, would apply to providers and insurers that receive funding from HHS, including those that participate in Medicare or Medicaid. According to Jocelyn Samuels, head of HHS’ Office for Civil Rights, the proposed rule would not explicitly mandate that insurers cover any specific treatments but would “require that insurers apply non-discriminatory criteria to assessing the services that they will cover.” Reuters.
Executive Order Requires Federal Contractors To Offer Up to Seven Days of Paid Sick Leave
President Obama on Monday signed an executive order that will require federal contractors to offer paid sick leave to employees. Under the order, about 300,000 people working for federal contractors could earn up to seven days of paid sick leave annually. Such employees will earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. New York Times, Wall Street Journal.
California, Other States Will Not Fully Transition to ICD-10 in October
The Medicaid programs in California and three other states will not fully transition to ICD-10 code sets by the Oct. 1 deadline. CMS approved a “crosswalk” technique allowing the states to convert ICD-10 codes into the older ICD-9 format. Stakeholders say the technique could result in payment disruptions. Modern Healthcare.
AMA Warns Insurance Mergers Would Further Concentrate Markets
An American Medical Association study finds that most health insurance markets are controlled by a few companies and that those markets likely would become even more concentrated if Anthem’s plan to acquire Cigna and Aetna’s proposal to buy Humana are approved. New York Times.
Bill To Delay Retooling of Children’s Services Program Goes to Brown
The California Legislature has approved a bill that would delay until January 2017 the state’s planned shift of some children with severe and rare diseases in the California Children’s Services program to Medicaid managed care plans. The bill now heads to Gov. Brown. Kaiser Health News.
California Association of Health Plans Opposes Two Tax Bills
The California Association of Health Plans says a bill that would shift oversight of certain health plans to the Department of Insurance would cause “major disruption” in the state’s insurance market. In addition, CAHP opposes another bill that would impose a flat tax on all California managed care plans because the measure funds programs other than Medicaid managed care plans. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
California Reported Record Number of Serious West Nile Cases in 2014, CDC Data Show
CDC data released Thursday show California experienced a record number of serious West Nile cases in 2014. The data show California reported 561 cases of neuroinvasive disease — including West Nile-caused meningitis and encephalitis — representing an 83% increase from the state’s previous record in 2005. Kaiser Health News.
Long Beach-Based Molina Healthcare To Expand Behavioral, Mental Health Services Coverage
On Thursday, Long Beach-based insurer Molina Healthcare announced plans to spend $200 million to expand its behavioral and mental health services coverage offerings. Molina said it will purchase two subsidiaries of Providence Service Corp. — Providence Human Services and Providence Community Services — to complement its health plans. AP/Los Angeles Times.
Full Assembly To Consider Right-To-Die Legislation
Today, the full Assembly will consider a bill to legalize physician-assisted death in California. The measure was advanced by an Assembly special finance committee last week with several amendments, including one that would sunset the law after 10 years. However, opponents say the amendment does not make the law acceptable. Sacramento Bee et al.