Latest California Healthline Stories
Burwell Asks Lawmakers To ‘Move Beyond’ ACA, Seek Common Ground on Health Issues
In a speech at the New America Foundation on Thursday, HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell encouraged Congress to “move beyond the back and forth of the Affordable Care Act” and outlined potential areas of common ground on the ACA and other health issues. She said such issues could include addressing prescription drug misuse, improving global health security and bolstering innovation. Kaiser Health News.
CMS Administrator Tavenner Announces Resignation
Today, CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner announced that she will step down from her position at the end of February. Andy Slavitt, who has been CMS’ principal deputy administrator since June 2014, will serve as acting CMS administrator until a permanent replacement is confirmed. Huffington Post et al.
Covered Calif. Rejects UnitedHealth’s Bid To Sell Coverage Statewide
Under a new Covered California policy, UnitedHealth cannot sell coverage statewide until at least 2017. Exchange officials said the marketplace’s insurers should not be undercut by large, established insurers that “sat on the sidelines,” but Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said the new rules limit consumers’ options. Los Angeles Times, Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Exchange Enrollees No More Likely To Seek Costly Care, Data Show
Despite predictions that individuals with exchange coverage would have more serious medical needs, new data from the online booking tool ZocDoc show exchange enrollees were no more likely to seek costly medical care. The data also show that those with exchange coverage were more likely to schedule regular exams and preventive care. Reuters, The Hill.
California Halts Implementation of Home Care Worker Overtime Pay
Yesterday, California Department of Social Services officials said the state will halt plans to pay overtime to all home care workers after a federal judge overturned a Department of Labor rule that would have extended minimum wage and overtime pay protections to such workers. Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal,” UDW release.
IOM Touts Clinical Data Sharing; J&J Releases Some Clinical Trial Data to Outside Researchers
The Institute of Medicine has released four recommendations for the sharing of clinical data from medical trials, which include creating new technology platforms. IOM’s recommendations came the same day as an announcement from Johnson & Johnson to make certain clinical trial data available through the Yale School of Medicine’s Open Data Access Project. Modern Healthcare, New York Times.
On Thursday, California public health officials confirmed 13 new measles cases related to an outbreak at Disneyland theme parks last month, bringing the total number of cases to 39. Meanwhile, a Los Angeles Times editorial argued that the outbreak, which was set off by an unvaccinated visitor, should “worry and enrage the public because it is a reminder of the far worse scenario that could occur if the anti-vaccine movement doesn’t get over its ignorant and self-absorbed rejection of science.” AP/U.S. News & World Report, Los Angeles Times.
Study: Some Calif. Docs Use Loophole To Increase Workers’ Compensation Rx Drug Reimbursements
Some California physicians are taking advantage of a loophole in state regulations to increase their workers’ compensation prescription drug reimbursements by as much as 400%, according to a new study. The study was conducted by researchers at the Massachusetts-based Workers Compensation Research Institute. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of January 16, 2015
Scripps Healthcare has implemented visitor restrictions at five of its San Diego hospitals to help curb the spread of influenza among patients and staff. Prime Healthcare Services has donated La Palma Intercommunity Hospital to the not-for-profit Prime Healthcare Foundation.
President Obama Releases Cybersecurity Plan To Address Public Safety, Public Health Concerns
Earlier this week, President Obama detailed a proposal designed to prompt legislation on cybersecurity, which he said is “a growing public safety and public health” concern as more data are stored online. Under the new plan, the federal government would grant limited liability protection to companies that promptly share cyberthreat information with the government. However, companies must take steps to remove any personally identifying data from the shared information. Further, the proposal would expand the Department of Homeland Security’s outreach with certain organizations. Los Angeles Times et al.