Latest California Healthline Stories
Sept. 11 Victim Compensation Fund Has Approved $804M in Payments for Claimants
A program to compensate individuals who suffered health problems as a result of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks has approved $804 million in payments to 3,100 claimants. As of Jan. 2, Sept. 11th Victim Compensation Fund officials said they had paid out $59 million. AP/Chicago Tribune.
Analysis Shows Wide Variance in ACA Premiums From 2014 to 2015
A New York Times analysis of health insurance premiums in Colorado shows a wide variance between plans sold through the Affordable Care Act’s exchange during the first open enrollment period and those offered during the second open enrollment period. Meanwhile, an Avalere study shows silver plan prices remained unchanged between 2014 and 2015 in 13% of regions in states using HealthCare.gov. New York Times.
Researchers Identify Clusters of Unvaccinated Children in California
A new study finds five hotspots across California in which there are high percentages of unvaccinated or under-immunized children, with the highest percentage in an area south of Sacramento. Researchers say that identifying such clusters can help doctors target specific areas and children for disease prevention. Los Angeles Times et al.
Senate Report Urges Calif. To Overhaul Long-Term Care System
A report by the state Senate Select Committee on Aging and Long Term Care calls on California to consolidate its programs to more efficiently provide long-term care services. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News,” Select Committee on Aging and Long Term Care report.
Obama Expected To Tout ACA in State of the Union Address
Experts say they expect President Obama to highlight the success of the Affordable Care Act and reiterate that he will veto any bills that would significantly change or impede the ACA during his State of the Union address tonight. Sen. Joni Ernst in the GOP response is expected to highlight premium increases and canceled health plans under the ACA. Modern Healthcare, The Hill.
Officials: Measles Cases Linked to Disneyland Parks Up to 51
The number of measles cases related to an outbreak that began at Disneyland theme parks last month has reached 51. Officials in Orange County — which had the highest number of measles cases — said they expect the outbreak “will continue to spread.” Los Angeles Times.
Ex-Workers Accuse Culver City-Based Health IT Firm of Fraud; Company Accuses Workers of Blackmail
Two former executives of Culver City-based health IT firm NantHealth have filed a wrongful termination lawsuit alleging that the company made false claims about the reliability of its system, which connects patient information collected by various medical devices and hospital equipment. NantHealth officials said the former employees, Stephanie Davidson and William Lynch, had threatened to smear the company with false information if they did not receive $2 million. New York Times.
Calif. Firm Comes Under Scrutiny for Inmate Health Care
Sonoma County officials say they will investigate the deaths of four inmates in less than a month last year at correctional facilities where health care is provided by the California Forensic Medical Group, the state’s largest for-profit correctional health care company. The company has faced several lawsuits in recent years and has been criticized for its role in inmate deaths, but it has not admitted any wrongdoing in settlements. Sacramento Bee.
Kaiser Nurses Reach Deal on New Contract, Call Off Strike
On Friday, the California Nurses Association called off a two-day strike scheduled to begin Wednesday after reaching a tentative agreement with Kaiser Permanente on a new three-year contract. The proposed contract would create hundreds of new nursing jobs and increase nurses’ pay by 14% over three years. KQED’s “State of Health,” Inside Bay Area News/Mercury News.
Medicare Might Encourage Hospices To Treat Patients Who Need Less Care, HHS OIG Report Says
Medicare reimbursement policies might be encouraging hospices to take in patients who require less care and avoid patients with greater needs, according to an HHS Office of Inspector General report. The report offered several recommendations, such as more closely tying reimbursements to patient need and providing consumers with more information about hospice care. Washington Post‘s “Wonkblog,” McKnight’s Long-Term Care News.