Latest California Healthline Stories
Brown Unveils Revised Budget Plan; Health Advocates React
Gov. Brown’s revised fiscal year 2015-2016 budget plan would increase health and social services spending by about $1.7 billion. The plan includes setting aside money to expand Medicaid coverage to undocumented immigrants and having state workers contribute to future health benefits. Los Angeles Times et al.
California Childhood Vaccine Exemption Bill Heads to Assembly
Yesterday, the California Senate advanced a bill that would end personal belief exemptions to state childhood vaccination requirements. The bill has been amended several times, including to allow exemptions for homeschooling and to remove a school reporting requirement. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert” et al.
50 California Dentists Cited Over Three Years
Fifty California-based dentists and dental assistants received citations from the California Dental Board over a three year period, according to a KCRA 3 review of data. The review found that some individuals were cited multiple times and that citations ranged from abandoning patients to having unsanitary instruments. KCRA 3.
New Master Services Deal Prompts Uncertainty for About 900 Health Net Jobs
Health Net estimates that 878 employees’ jobs will be shifted to Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. under a two-year transition plan detailed in a seven-year master services agreement reached in November 2014. Although the deal still needs regulatory approval, the companies expect immediate changes in jobs to take effect between June 26 and July 10. Under the agreement, about 27 additional Health Net workers could be laid off. Sacramento Business Journal
Study: Covered California Premiums Higher in Counties With Less Competition, No PPO
Covered California health plan premiums were about 6% higher in counties that did not offer a PPO product, according to a study by Mountain View-based HealthPocket. The study also found that premiums for plans offered in counties with just one health plan were 8% higher than those with competitive plan offerings. Payers & Providers.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of May 15, 2015
California Attorney General Kamala Harris has requested an extension to decide whether to approve or reject Adventist Health’s acquisition of Lodi Memorial Hospital Association. Sutter Health has partnered with AstraZeneca to develop new treatments for patients with diabetes.
Hiring of Medical Scribes Up as More Health Care Providers Switch to Electronic Health Records
Health care providers are increasingly hiring medical scribes, in large part because of the growing adoption of electronic health record systems. The American College of Medical Scribe Specialists estimates that the number of medical scribes in the U.S. will increase from about 20,000 today to about 100,000 by 2020. Marketplace.
Some Employers Require Same-Sex Couples To Be Married To Receive Health Benefits
As same-sex marriage becomes legal in an increasing number of states, some employers that had offered health benefits to unwed same-sex couples now are requiring that such employees be married to keep their partner’s benefits. However, some advocates have said requiring marriage could put workers at risk of discrimination. Wall Street Journal.
VA Memo Says Dept. Improperly Spends $6B Annually on Contracts
In an internal memo, a senior agency official accuses Department of Veterans Affairs leaders of “gross mismanagement” and making a “mockery” of federal acquisition laws relating to contract bidding. The memo says that VA has improperly spent at least $6 billion annually for supplies and medical care. Washington Post.
Study Estimates Obesity-Related Costs Could Reach $1.1T
A new study finds that the cost of caring for obese children living in the U.S. could reach $1.1 trillion over their lifetimes if they remain obese through adulthood. The study notes that obese adults between the ages of 25 to 85 accumulate $92,235 in average costs related to medical care, disability claims and other factors. Modern Healthcare, Washington Times.