Latest California Healthline Stories
Senate Passes Bill To Permanently Replace Medicare’s SGR Formula
Yesterday, the Senate approved legislation that would replace the sustainable growth rate formula, sending it to President Obama, who is expected to sign the measure. While most federal officials praised the passage, CMS Chief Actuary Paul Spitalnic warned that additional legislative action could be required to prevent payment cuts after 2025. New York Times et al.
Doctors’ Confidence in EHRs To Improve Care Slips, Survey Finds
A new Accenture survey finds that 46% of U.S. physicians say that electronic health records improve treatment decisions, down from 62% of 2012 respondents. However, nearly 80% of respondents in the latest survey say their EHR proficiency has improved over the last two years. Healthcare IT News et al.
Survey: 40% of Californians Delayed Care in 2014 Because of Costs
A recent survey from the California HealthCare Foundation finds that about 40% of California residents in the last 12 months have delayed care because of costs. In addition, the survey shows that the rate of care delays varies by race and health status. State of Reform, CHCF survey.
CMS Levies Fines Against Two Calif.-Based MA Plans in Q1 2015
CMS in the first quarter of 2015 levied nearly $2.5 million in civil fines against 10 Medicare Advantage plans, compared with a single fine during the same period last year. The largest fine of $689,600 was against Orange-based Citizens Choice Health Plan, while Rancho Cucamonga-based Inland Empire Health Plan received a $256,950 fine. Modern Healthcare, CMS notice.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Calls for Extra Employees To Improve Prison Mental Health Care
Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell said he wants to hire an additional 77 employees to improve jail conditions for individuals with mental health issues. The plan, which would cost about $2.1 million and create a “bureau” to oversee mental health services among jails, was introduced to avoid legal action from the U.S. Department of Justice. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
California Nears End to Measles Outbreak, Officials Say
On Friday, California public health officials hope to declare the measles outbreak that originated at Disneyland over if no additional B3-strain measles cases are reported in the next few days. According to James Watt, chief of the California Department of Public Health’s communicable disease control, the state must get through two back-to-back incubation periods, or 42 days, without a new measles case before declaring an end to the outbreak. Sacramento Bee.
San Francisco County One of 10 in U.S. To Lower Diabetes Rates Between 2004 and 2012
San Francisco County was one of just 10 counties across the country that saw a decrease in diabetes rates between 2004 and 2012, according to CDC data. In total, 2,992 counties in the U.S. saw diabetes rate increases during that time period, while five counties remained unchanged. Washington Post‘s “Wonkblog.”
CalWORKs Reduces Aid for Families With Unvaccinated, Under-Immunized Children
CalWORKs, California’s welfare program, has started reducing cash aid for families who do not keep their children’s vaccinations updated. Under the initiative to increase vaccination rates, benefits will be restored when parents provide paperwork showing their kids are up to date with their immunizations. CHCF Center for Health Reporting/KPCC’s “KPCC News.
San Francisco Voters Largely Support Chewing Tobacco Ban at Baseball Stadiums, Survey Finds
About two-thirds of San Francisco voters support a proposal, by city Supervisor Eric Mar, to ban chewing tobacco at the city’s baseball stadiums, according to a survey by Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates. Specifically, about 63% of 503 respondents said they initially supported the measure, and 65% said they supported it after hearing arguments about its pros and cons. San Francisco Chronicle.
Report: 2014 Rx Spending Hit Highest Single-Year Increase in 13 Years
A new IMS report finds that U.S. prescription drug spending totaled $374 billion in 2014, increasing by 13% from 2013 to 2014 — the largest single-year increase since 2001. The report attributes the increase in part to a rise in new hepatitis C treatments, such as Gilead Sciences’ Sovaldi and Harvoni. Reuters et al.