Latest California Healthline Stories
House Unanimously Passes Bill That Would Exempt Some Veterans From ACA’s Employer Mandate
The House on Tuesday voted 412-0 to approve a bill that would exempt veterans with health plans through the departments of Defense or Veterans Affairs from being counted under the Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate. According to “Floor Action,” the bill marks the first vote related to the ACA in the 114th Congress. The House passed the same bill with a 406-1 vote last year, but the measure died in the Senate. The Hill‘s “Floor Action.”
Fitch Ratings Report: For-Profit Hospitals Well Situated for 2015
A new report from Fitch Ratings says for-profit hospitals successfully managed their capital and limited expenses in 2014 and are well situated to handle operational challenges in 2015. The report also finds that such hospitals benefited from provisions under the Affordable Care Act that expanded health care coverage. Modern Healthcare.
Patients Face Barriers to Mental Health Care, Despite ACA, Parity Laws
Despite expanded health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act and mental health parity requirements, a new report finds that consumers could still face issues accessing mental health coverage. According to the report, health plans might indicate that there are no mental health coverage limits, but treatment caps and other barriers could still exist. Washington Post.
Calif. AG Holds Public Hearings Over Sale of Safety-Net Hospitals
The California attorney general’s office this week is holding several public hearings over Prime Healthcare Services’ bid to buy six safety-net hospitals run by Daughters of Charity Health System. Meanwhile, Prime has agreed to most of the state’s conditions for the deal. Inland Valley Daily Bulletin et al.
Californians Are the Savviest ACA Exchange Consumers
An online calculator developed by the National Health Council finds that Californians are among the savviest at signing up for and understanding health coverage offered through the Affordable Care Act’s insurance exchanges. Orlando Business Journal, NHC release.
Report: Several California Regions Rank Among Healthiest in U.S.
A new NerdWallet report ranks several California cities among the healthiest large metro areas in the U.S. based on their population’s access to health insurance and providers, fitness level and weight. Cities in the San Francisco Bay Area ranked second overall. Sacramento Business Journal, NerdWallet report.
Study: Hospital Compare Website Helps Reduce Prices
A new study published in Health Affairs finds that more public reporting on hospital quality could help lower hospital prices. The study compares hospital quality data for two common procedures before and after CMS launched its public reporting website Hospital Compare. Modern Healthcare, U.S. News & World Report.
Butte County Launches New Mental Health Initiative
The Butte County affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and local law enforcement have launched a new initiative aimed at improving interactions between first responders and individuals with mental illnesses. The initiative, which was successfully piloted in the county, provides individuals with mental illnesses cards that can contain information, such as their diagnosis, emotional triggers and emergency contacts. HealthyCal.
John Muir Health, Health Net of California Form ACO
On Tuesday, Calif.-based John Muir Health and Health Net of California announced that they have formed a new accountable care organization. The ACO will serve Health Net members who use John Muir Health’s medical centers and provider network in Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano counties. Becker’s Hospital Review.
CVS To Offer Only Gilead’s Hepatitis C Treatments
CVS Health, the second-largest pharmacy benefit manager in the U.S., on Monday announced that it would cover only Gilead Sciences’ two hepatitis C treatments for its patients. CVS Health said effective Jan. 7 it would make Gilead’s Harvoni and Sovaldi the only hepatitis C treatment options for its patients who receive drug coverage through the pharmacy’s standard commercial drug formulary, Medicare Part D, Medicaid and plans sold through the Affordable Care Act’s exchanges. Reuters, Wall Street Journal.