Latest California Healthline Stories
Analysis: ACA Has Not Reduced Emergency Dept. Visits
Emergency department visits increased sharply at hospitals with the highest ED use in 2013, with several reporting higher volumes in 2014 even after the uninsured rate began declining following the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, according to an analysis. The report found that the 24 busiest EDs had an 18.7% increase in visits in 2013 over 2012, and the upward trend is expected to continue. Modern Healthcare.
SCOTUS Appears Divided on Medicaid Reimbursement Case
Supreme Court justices appear split on a case that will determine whether providers can sue state Medicaid agencies for low payment rates under the U.S. Constitution’s supremacy clause. The high court is expected to rule on the case by the end of June. Modern Healthcare, Kaiser Health News.
Report: Smoking Costs in California Average $1.5M Per User
A WalletHub report finds that California smokers spend an average of $1.5 million over their lifetime on personal smoking costs, including associated medical care. Meanwhile, the American Lung Association is urging California to enact stronger tobacco control policies. CBS’ “MoneyWatch” et al.
Obama Touts ACA in State of the Union Address
President Obama in his State of the Union address highlighted various health-related initiatives and touted improvements in coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Obama also said he would veto any bill passed by Congress that would “put the security of families at risk by taking away their health insurance.” The Hill et al.
Behavioral Health Issues Plague Children in Welfare, Justice Systems
Children in California and other states who are involved in both the welfare and juvenile justice systems tend to have more behavioral health problems. Some California counties have been working to better coordinate services provided by the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Center for Public Integrity.
California Lawmakers To Introduce New Right-To-Die Legislation
Several Democratic state senators plan to introduce a bill that would give Californians with terminal illnesses the right to seek life-ending medication from their doctor. The bill would require interpreters for non-English speakers and would give providers legal immunity for participating. AP/Sacramento Bee, San Jose Mercury News.
Two Dozen Unvaccinated Orange County Students Sent Home Over Measles Outbreak
Orange County health officials told about 24 high school students without proof of a measles immunization to go home after they learned that a Huntington Beach High School student who was infected with the disease had attended class when school resumed after winter break. The announcement came as public health officials confirmed 54 cases of measles across California, as well as three other states and Mexico. Los Angeles Times, AP/San Jose Mercury News
Calif. Officials Grant Preliminary Approval for 15 Community College Bachelor’s Degrees Programs
On Tuesday, the California Community Colleges System’s governing board gave initial approval to 15 community college bachelor’s degree programs, including some related to health care. The board is expected to vote on final approval of the plan in March. San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
A study by researchers from UC-San Francisco and other institutions found the health care billing and insurance-related costs totaled more than $470 billion in 2012. The study, published in the journal BMC Health Services Research, estimated that $375 billion could be saved annually by simplifying the process of the health care billing and financial data management. Health IT Analytics.
One of the largest hurdles to further expanding health insurance coverage is the 23 states that have not increased eligibility for their Medicaid programs, according to a Families USA report. Currently, seven states are discussing expansion plans while 16 states have not expressed any interest in expanding their Medicaid programs. The Hill.