Latest California Healthline Stories
Package of Bills To Reform Tobacco Rules Introduced in Calif.
Yesterday, five California lawmakers officially announced a legislative effort to address tobacco use in the state. The five bills include plans to increase taxes on cigarettes, raise the legal smoking age and restrict electronic cigarette use. KFBK News, Sen. Pan release.
U.S. Health Spending Projections for 2014 to 2019 Drop by 11%
A new Urban Institute study finds that projections for U.S. health spending from 2014 to 2019 have declined by 11%, likely because of the recent economic recession, the proliferation of high-deductible plans and cost constraints for state Medicaid programs and Medicare policies under the Affordable Care Act. CNBC, FierceHealthFinance.
Calif. Records Second-Highest Number of West Nile Virus Cases
California Department of Public Health officials say that the state last year experienced the second-worst West Nile virus outbreak since 2003. There were 801 West Nile virus cases reported in California, including 31 virus-related fatalities. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now” et al.
Stakeholders Say CMS’ Mental Health Parity Proposal Is Inadequate
CMS’ proposal to extend mental health and substance use disorder treatment parity requirements would not solve access-to-care issues for beneficiaries of the Children’s Health Insurance Program, Medicaid alternative benefit plans and Medicaid managed care plans, according to stakeholders. Modern Healthcare.
DMHC Fines Blue Shield $45K for Violating Knox-Keene Act
The California Department of Managed Health Care has issued a $45,0000 fine against Blue Shield of California for violations of the Knox-Keene Act. DMHC said the insurer violated the measure five separate times, including for billing issues and for not responding to enrollees’ concerns in a timely manner. Payers & Providers.
Judge Largely Throws Out Prime Suit Against SEIU-UHW
A federal judge in California has largely dismissed a lawsuit by Prime Healthcare Services alleging that the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West used extortion and other illegal tactics to thwart Prime’s attempt to purchase six safety-net hospitals in the state. The judge said many of Prime’s complaints were covered in a previous lawsuit filed by Prime. Prime can file an amended complaint within 30 days. Healthcare Finance News.
Congressional Lawmakers From California Dispute Interpretation of Medical Marijuana Measure
On Wednesday, Reps. Dana Rohrabacher and Sam Farr sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder saying that his interpretation of a measure to prevent the Department of Justice from interfering with states’ medical marijuana laws is “emphatically wrong.” Last week, DOJ officials said the measure does not prevent federal prosecution of individuals or groups that sell the drug. The lawmakers wrote, “Criminal prosecutions … as well as asset forfeiture actions … against dispensaries in the San Francisco Bay Area, were what motivated us … to approve this measure.” Los Angeles Times.
Calif. Lawmakers Call for Additional Tobacco Restrictions
While “California has led the way with policies to curb tobacco use … tobacco remains the nation’s leading cause of preventable death,” according to a Sacramento Bee opinion piece written by state Sens. Ed Hernandez and Richard Pan and Assembly member Rob Bonta. The lawmakers write that “[m]ajor challenges remain in keeping addictive tobacco products out of the hands of young people and meeting the growing demand for medical treatment,” noting that they plan to work with the Save Lives Coalition and have authored bills to address such issues. Sacramento Bee‘s “Soapbox.”
California Developmental Centers Fined for Abuse, Neglect That Led to 13 Deaths Since 2002
Since 2002, 13 patients have died as the result of abuse and neglect at state-run homes for individuals with developmental disabilities, according to records from the California Department of Public Health. Several centers were fined, including the Sonoma Developmental Center, Lanterman Developmental Center in Pomona and the Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa, where six of the 13 deaths occurred. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Study: Covered Calif. Had One of Lowest Enrollment Growth Rates
A new study by Avalere Health finds that Covered California had one of the lowest growth rates for overall enrollment this year, at 1%. In comparison, new enrollment in the federally run exchanges increased by 61% from 2014 to 2015. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area BizTalk” et al.