Latest California Healthline Stories
Lara Announces Plans To Push To Expand Medi-Cal to Undocumented Adults
On Thursday, state Sen. Ricardo Lara announced plans to continue pushing for health coverage for undocumented Californians. Lara said that next year he will introduce a bill to expand Medi-Cal to undocumented adults in the state. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
UCLA Announces Plans To Test New Endoscope Cleaning Machine in Wake of Superbug Outbreak
UCLA has announced plans test a new machine to clean medical endoscopes after the devices were linked to a superbug outbreak at two California hospitals earlier this year. Next week, UCLA’s Ronald Reagan Medical Center is scheduled to install the new machine and train employees on how to use it. Observers say the trial could attract attention from other hospitals across the U.S. that are trying to determine how to best prevent infections from the scopes. Los Angeles Times.
Report: Medicare’s Trust Fund To Be Solvent Through 2030
Medicare’s trust fund will remain solvent until 2030, according to a report released Wednesday by Medicare’s trustees. The report notes that the fund continued to be strengthened by the Affordable Care Act and a slowdown in health care cost growth. Wall Street Journal.
Anthem, Cigna Appear Close To Reaching $48B Merger Deal
Anthem and Cigna could announce as early as today a $48 billion merger deal. The potential deal comes after Cigna last month rejected a $47 billion takeover bid from Anthem. The combined company would have about 53 million customers, making it the country’s largest insurer in terms of members. Wall Street Journal et al.
Appointment Availability Improved After Mich. Medicaid Expansion
A new study published in Health Affairs finds that Michigan Medicaid beneficiaries had a slightly easier time scheduling primary care appointments after the state expanded its program under the Affordable Care Act. However, there was a slight decrease in appointment availability for individuals with private coverage. AP/Washington Times.
Study: Calif. Caregivers Provided $57B in Unpaid Care in 2013
A new study released by AARP finds that California family caregivers provided 4.1 billion hours of care valued at $57 billion in 2013. Nationally, caregivers provided $470 billion in unpaid care that year, while many simultaneously worked full- or part-time jobs. The study calculated the value using median home health aide wage data. CNBC et al.
UC President Announces Systemwide Minimum Wage Increase
Yesterday, the University of California president announced that the university system will increase the minimum wage for UC employees and contractors to $15 an hour by 2017. The plan likely will affect some health care workers at UC’s five medical centers. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area BizTalk” et al.
Calif. Gives Homeless No-Cost IDs To Increase Social Services Access
A new California law allows homeless individuals to obtain no-cost copies of their birth certificates and state identification cards. The law aims to help such individuals access certain social services and assistance programs, such as those for mental health care. Sacramento Bee, KCET.
Sacramento Inaccurately Calculated City Employees’ Pension Payments, Audit Finds
An outside audit has found that the Sacramento City Employees Retirement System overpaid some recipients by a total of $2.8 million and underpaid other beneficiaries by a total of $247,000 over the past three years. Officials estimate that the system underpaid about 5% of its members since 2005 and overpaid nearly 18% of members in that time. Sacramento Bee‘s “The Public Eye.”
L.A. District Attorney Releases Plan for Diverting Individuals With Mental Illnesses From Jails
On Wednesday, Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey released a roadmap for diverting individuals with mental illnesses from jails. The plan calls for all law enforcement to undergo mental health training. Lacey also calls for the county to develop a network of treatment options for low-level offenders. On Aug. 4, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors will consider whether to fund some of the report’s recommendations. KPCC’s “KPCC News,” Los Angeles Times.