Latest California Healthline Stories
L.A. E-Referral System Could Be a Model for Improving Access to Care
A Los Angeles County electronic referral system could help to improve access to care amid a shortage of specialists in California and across the county. However, some providers have expressed concern that primary care physicians who use the system are not paid for extra services a specialist might request. Kaiser Health News.
Schools in California, Other States Ranked on Global Health Efforts
A new report by Universities Allied for Essential Medicines ranks 59 research schools across the country on their efforts to improve global health. Seven California institutions were included in the list, and all but one were in the top 20. U-T San Diego et al.
Covered Calif. Proposal Reduces Spending, Enrollment Projections
In a budget plan released Wednesday, Covered California proposes reducing spending by about 15%, while allotting the majority of its money for outreach, sales and marketing efforts. Meanwhile, the exchange also is lowering its 2016 enrollment forecast. Los Angeles Times.
Monterey County Inmates Reach Settlement To Bolster Health, Mental Health Care in Jail
On Monday, a group of inmates announced a settlement in a 2013 lawsuit over poor medical conditions at Monterey County’s Main Jail. The deal will help improve the jail’s disability access, dental care, medical care, mental health care and suicide prevention, and it calls on the county to increase staffing levels and overcrowding at the jail. Monterey Herald, Monterey County NOW.
Bankruptcy Judge Dismisses Suit Against San Bernardino’s Plan To Repay CalPERS
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Meredith Jury has dismissed a lawsuit filed by two bond creditors challenging the city of San Bernardino’s plan to fully repay its debts to CalPERS. Ambac Assurance Corp., a New York bond insurer, and EEPK, a Luxembourg bank, in January filed a lawsuit seeking repayment for a $59 million bond issued by the city in 2005. Sacramento Bee.
Sutter Health HMO Looks To Offer Coverage in Bay Area
On Friday, Sutter Health filed an application with the California Department of Managed Health Care seeking to expand its recently launched HMO to Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco and San Mateo counties for the 2016 enrollment period. The HMO, called Sutter Health Plus, was launched in January 2014 in the Sacramento and San Joaquin region. It later expanded to Sonoma County and currently has nearly 13,000 members. Sacramento Business Journal.
Physicians’ Group Backs LGBT Health Policies
The American College of Physicians on Tuesday released a paper that supports nine policies that the group said will improve health among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. For example, the organization expressed support for incorporating gender identity into non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, as well as the including comprehensive transgender health care services in insurance policies. Meanwhile, the group expressed opposition to “conversion” therapy. Reuters.
The California Senate last year “caved” to opposition over a bill that aimed to expand the scope of practice of nurse practitioners, but it has “corrected its error” by passing a similar bill (SB 323) this year “despite renewed opposition” from the California Medical Association, according to a Los Angeles Times opinion piece by Christopher Glazek, executive editor of Genius.com. While concerns that the bill could create a two-tiered are “legitimate,” Glazek argues that “disparities in care are already rampant in California.” Los Angeles Times.
Many Retirees Receive CalPERS Benefits After Leaving California
About 15% of CalPERS’ 561,000 beneficiaries live outside California. Nevada is one of the most popular states among pensioners because it is close enough to California that retirees can maintain a California address in order to keep their health insurance with Kaiser Permanente. Sacramento Bee‘s “The State Worker.”
White House Clarifies ACA Contraceptive, Preventive Services Rules
The Obama administration has issued new guidance detailing what forms of contraceptives, women’s health services and other preventive care insurers must cover at no-cost to comply with the Affordable Care Act’s requirements. The guidance comes after recent reports indicate that some insurers have not been adhering to the law. New York Times et al.