Latest California Healthline Stories
Brown’s Proposal To Expand Tax on Medi-Cal Plans Meets Resistance From Calif. Lawmakers
Gov. Brown’s proposal to expand a state tax to all managed-care organizations, which would raise an estimated $1.7 billion to help fund health care for low-income residents, is facing resistance by state lawmakers. The current tax, which expires next year, imposes a 3.94% levy on the earnings of health plans for those on Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program. California Association of Health Plans officials say the new proposal could raise premiums for millions of consumers. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Hospital Group, Union Launch Medi-Cal Reimbursement Ad Campaign
The California Hospital Association and the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West have launched a multimillion dollar advertisement campaign to encourage California lawmakers to restore a 10% cut to provider reimbursements under the state’s Medicaid program. Sacramento Bee.
Covered Calif. Enrollees Struggle With Premiums, but Like Coverage
A new Kaiser Family Foundation survey finds that 44% of Covered California enrollees have trouble paying their monthly premiums, compared with 25% of individuals with employer-sponsored or other private coverage. Meanwhile, nearly three-fourths of exchange enrollees rate their coverage as good or excellent. Los Angeles Times et al.
Stanford Team Creates Biosensors To Detect Diabetes
Stanford University researchers have created living biosensors that glow a color when they detect abnormal glucose levels in urine, which could be a sign of diabetes. In a research article published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, the researchers wrote that the bacterial biosensors could be faster, more cost-effective and durable than traditional diagnostic tests. San Jose Mercury News.
California Health Care Personnel News Roundup for May 2015
Lance Lang has been appointed to be the permanent CMO of Covered California, succeeding interim CMO Jeffrey Rideout. Brianna Lierman has become CEO of Local Health Plans of California, which represents 16 public, not-for-profit plans. San Francisco Business Times et al.
Lawsuits Against BCBS Over Alleged Antitrust Law Violations Advance in Federal Court
Two lawsuits alleging that Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans across the country are violating antitrust laws by conspiring to avoid competition have advanced in a federal court in Alabama. The suits allege that the BCBS insurers are working to divide the insurance markets in a way that helps them to avoid competing with one another. The plaintiffs claim that the practice drives up consumers’ prices and lowers the amount providers receive for their services. Wall Street Journal.
Generic Rx Drug Prices Falling on Average, AARP Says
Prices of generic drugs taken by older U.S. residents are falling on average, though price increases for certain treatments could be a sign that more increases will follow, according to an AARP survey released Thursday. The survey assessed price trends for 280 generic drugs commonly used by U.S. residents ages 50 and older. Out of the 40 drug categories included in the survey, about four-fifths saw prices decline by between 1% and 58%. AP/Washington Times.
CDC Data Show U.S. Uninsured Rate Fell to 11.9% in Q3 2014
Preliminary data from CDC’s National Health Institute Survey show that the uninsured rate declined sharply in the first nine months of 2014 compared with recent years. The survey finds the uninsured rate decreased among all income groups, with the greatest decline coming among individuals with incomes below 200% of federal poverty level. Modern Healthcare.
U.S. Can Do More To Boost Preventive Care Efforts, Paper Argues
In a new paper, the Bipartisan Policy Center suggests that the U.S. could improve preventive care efforts by building the evidence base and integrating prevention efforts into overarching delivery system reforms. American Public Health Association Executive Director Georges Benjamin praised the suggestions. Modern Healthcare, CQ HealthBeat.
Doctors’ Liability Concerns Could Derail Calif. School EpiPen Law
Doctors say they are hesitant to write EpiPen prescriptions for California schools because of liability concerns, despite a state law requiring school districts to stock the devices. The law’s author has introduced new legislation to address the liability concerns. EdSource Today/KQED.