Latest California Healthline Stories
Nearly One-Fourth of Large Companies Penalize Workers for Not Participating in Wellness Programs
More U.S. companies are beginning to penalize employees who do not join workplace wellness programs. According to a recent survey conducted by the National Business Group on Health and Towers Watson, nearly 25% of the two-thirds of large companies that have wellness programs levy financial penalties on employees who do not participate in the programs. Such penalties can include lower employer contributions to employees’ out-of-pocket health costs or higher premiums. Reuters.
Nearly 6.8M Enrolled in Federal Exchange Coverage, HHS Data Show
The latest enrollment figures from HHS show about 6.8 million U.S. residents have enrolled in coverage through the federal exchange as of Jan. 9. Meanwhile, the Obama administration has launched an effort to encourage Latino U.S. residents to enroll in health coverage through the exchanges before the Feb. 15 close of the open enrollment period. Reuters et al.
Survey: Fewer Consumers Delay Treatment, but Disparities Still Exist
The Commonwealth Fund’s biennial health survey shows the percentage of U.S. residents who delay necessary medical care is down for the first time in years. While fewer U.S. residents are struggling to pay medical bills, the survey shows low-income U.S. residents still face issues with access to care and affordability. New York Times‘ “The Upshot” et al.
Calif. Issues New Rules To Protect Against Health Effects of Pesticide
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation has announced new rules for the use of a common pesticide that has been found to cause harmful health effects. The rules are aimed at protecting farmworkers and those who live near their fields from the chemicals. AP/Rochester Post-Bulletin, Los Angeles Times.
Poll: Many Californians Unaware of Paid Family Leave Program
A new Field Poll finds that just 36% of California voters are aware of the state’s Paid Family Leave program, down from 43% who were aware of the program in 2011. However, of those aware of the program, 77% say they likely would use the benefit if necessary. Inland News Today et al.
Folsom Weighs New Smoking Bans in Apartments, Outdoor Eating, Drinking Areas
On Tuesday, the Folsom City Council asked staff to draft new amendments to the city’s smoking ordinance to prohibit smoking in apartments and in outdoor seating areas of restaurants and bars. Last year, the City Council amended the 20-year-old ordinance to ban smoking in recreation areas. Sacramento Bee.
Critics of Gov. Brown’s newly released fiscal year 2015-2016 budget proposal say it fails to address the needs of low-income California residents and increase the number of doctors willing to treat those patients. Brown defended his efforts to expand access to public health care and noted that his budget proposal allocates $17.7 billion from the general fund for health care for low-income residents. Los Angeles Times.
DMHC Fines Health Net, Aetna $200K Each
The California Department of Managed Health Care has fined Health Net $200, for losing data during a 2011 data migration project, which the department concluded violated both federal and California law. DMHC also fined Aetna $200,000 for failing to correct defects the department found in a routine inspection of the health plan that was published in 2013. Payers & Providers.
California Hospital Fair Pricing Act Has Cut Prices for Uninsured
A recent study finds that California’s Hospital Fair Pricing Act has lowered costs for uninsured patients by placing limits on the fees hospitals can charge them. The study finds that hospitals generated less revenue from such patients but increased services offered to them. Medscape.
Preschoolers Who Participate in Head Start More Likely To Begin Kindergarten at a Healthy Weight
Head Start preschoolers who begin the program overweight or underweight are more likely than similar children who are not in the program to start kindergarten at a healthy weight, according to a study published Monday in the Journal of Pediatrics. Researchers found that BMI scores among obese children in the Head Start group declined more than those of obese children in the comparison groups. In addition, children in the Head Start group who began the study underweight gained more weight during Head Start than those in the comparison groups. Reuters.