Latest California Healthline Stories
Defendants Deemed Mentally Incompetent Face Treatment Barriers
Defendants who are deemed mentally incompetent and unable to stand trial often are ordered to receive mental health treatment at state hospitals. However, inadequate staffing and increased workloads at state hospitals has led to some of those individuals spending more time in prisons. San Luis Obispo Tribune.
Audit Finds Accessibility Issues on Covered California Website
A recent audit identified more than 300 critical accessibility violations on the Covered California website that made certain content “completely inaccessible” to some consumers with disabilities. For example, individuals with motor disabilities who use a keyboard to navigate the Internet were unable to complete an application. U-T San Diego, California State Auditor report.
Calif. Regulators Signal Tough Scrutiny of Blue Shield’s Proposed Acquisition of Care1st
On Monday, California Department of Managed Health Care Director Shelley Rouillard suggested Blue Shield of California’s proposed purchase of Medicaid insurer Care1st Health Plan will be subject to tough scrutiny. During a hearing, stakeholders discussed whether Blue Shield would be able to use its $4.2 billion in reserves to acquire Care1st or whether some part of the money is subject to charitable trust obligations. Los Angeles Times.
Group of Older Stanford Doctors Fight Back Against Age-Related Tests To Continue Practicing Medicine
A group of Stanford doctors is fighting a Stanford Health Center policy that requires all doctors over age 75 to receive a clinical and physical assessment to continue practicing medicine. The doctors say the practice is “age discrimination,” while others — including an American Medical Association council — have raised concerns about age-related declines in physical and cognitive functions. San Jose Mercury News.
Southern Calif. Facing Shortage of Child Psychiatric Beds
Health officials say there is a shortage of inpatient psychiatric beds for children under age 12 in Southern California, which places a burden on parents who need to drive several hours to be with their child. Experts say there should be 50 beds for every 100,000 kids under age 18, but there are only 8.3 beds per 100,000 children in the five-county region. KPCC’s KPCC News.
Fla. House Rejects Alterative Medicaid Expansion Plan
The Florida House on Friday voted 72-41 to reject an alternative Medicaid proposal that passed in the state Senate earlier last week. The measure the House rejected on Friday would have used $18 billion in federal funding and about $1.8 billion in state funds to help low-income state residents purchase private health coverage. AP/Modern Healthcare.
Calif. Hospital Association CEO, Other State Hospital Association Leaders Make List of Highest Paid
State hospital association leaders — like C. Duane Dauner of the California Hospital Association — made Modern Healthcare‘s list of the highest pay among health care association CEOs, based on an analysis of the latest association tax reports. CHA CFO Jennifer Newman said Dauner’s total compensation increased to $1.5 million in 2013, but his bonus fell nearly 41% from the previous year because part of his cash compensation was reported in his base pay, rather than being reported as bonus and incentive pay. Modern Healthcare.
Stakeholders Say ACO Final Rule Fails To Address Some Concerns
Stakeholders say that CMS’ recently released Medicare Shared Savings Program final rule did not address some concerns and could prompt some health care organizations to leave the accountable care organization program. CMS says it still is considering additional changes to the ACO program. Modern Healthcare, CQ HealthBeat.
Inmates File Lawsuit Against California Officials Over Valley Fever
A lawsuit filed last week in U.S. District Court in Fresno alleges that state officials — including Gov. Brown — knew about the risk of Valley fever at several state prison facilities but did not adequately protect inmates from the illness. The lawsuit is the latest in a number of legal actions related to Valley fever in California prisons. Fresno Bee, Fuller release.
Task Force Issues No-Cost Preventive Services Recommendations
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has issued new recommendations for preventive health services that insurers should cover at no cost, including hepatitis B screening for individuals at high risk for infection. Under the Affordable Care Act, insurers are required to cover services that the task force labels as an “A” or “B” recommendation. Kaiser Health News.