Latest California Healthline Stories
California Retiree Health Care Costs Reach Nearly $72B
State Controller John Chiang has released a five-year plan to address state retiree health care costs, which have grown to nearly $72 billion this year. In addition, Gov. Brown is expected to include in his budget proposal a plan to address unfunded liabilities related to state retirees’ medical and dental costs. Sacramento Bee‘s “The State Worker” et al.
Obama Signs $1.1 Trillion Spending Package
President Obama has signed a continuing resolution omnibus spending bill, or “cromnibus,” to fund the federal government through September 2015. The $1.1 trillion spending package contains various health provisions that eventually could affect hospitals, home health agencies and drugmakers. NBC News.
L.A. County Approves Plan To Hire Nearly 200 More Employees To Help Residents With Mental Illnesses
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has decided to hire nearly 200 new staff members to help residents with mental illnesses access mental health and medical services — doubling the current number of such employees in the county. The new employees will form special teams that will include at least one community member who has experienced mental illness and one mental health care provider. The teams will target foster children, homeless veterans, individuals in emergency departments and inmates. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Senate Confirms Vivek Murthy as Next U.S. Surgeon General
The Senate has confirmed Vivek Murthy, an attending physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a medical instructor at Harvard Medical School, to serve as the next U.S. surgeon general. Murthy’s confirmation had been stalled since November 2013 because of his stance on guns as a health issue and his support for the Affordable Care Act. New York Times et al.
Tenn., Va. Governors Expected To Consider Plans To Expand Health Coverage
On Monday, Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam’s office said he plans to call a special state legislative session to consider a plan that “leverages federal dollars to provide health care coverage to more Tennesseans, to give people a choice in their coverage, and to address the cost of health care, better health outcomes and personal responsibility.” The plan is seen as alternative to expanding coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe likely will include a provision to expand the state’s Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act in his budget correction plan, which he is expected to unveil Wednesday. Reuters, AP/Modern Healthcare.
Some Calif. Residents Face Coverage Barriers to Out-of-State Care
Many California residents who live near the state’s borders say seeking routine care from providers in neighboring states often is more convenient. However, experts say that some insurers have limited coverage of out-of-state care because of the Affordable Care Act. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
CalPERS Considering Change in Benchmark for Private Equity
CalPERS is considering a change to its benchmark for measuring private equity performance amid efforts to reduce risk in its financial portfolio. Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin de León plans to submit legislation that would require CalPERS and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System to divest their holdings in coal. Bloomberg, Sacramento Bee.
Covered California Extends Deadline for Jan. 1 Coverage
Yesterday, Covered California extended the deadline — from Dec. 15 to Dec. 21 — for consumers to enroll in coverage that begins Jan. 1, 2015. Meanwhile, the exchange’s board of directors is expected to address a lack of insurers in certain areas of the state. Los Angeles Times, Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Study: Virtual Visits Could Significantly Cut U.S. Health Care Costs
A new study released by the Alliance for Connected Care finds that telehealth visits cost between $40 and $50, compared with about $136 to $176 per in-office physician visit. The study also suggests that increasing Medicare beneficiaries’ access to telehealth would help the program cut costs. Modern Healthcare et al.
Sacramento Bee Editorial Urges Congress To Bolster Federal Funding for Alzheimer’s Disease
Last week, Congress approved $25 million in additional funding for Alzheimer’s disease — which kills an estimated 500,000 U.S. residents annually — far below the $200 million sought by advocates, a Sacramento Bee editorial states. The editorial argues that more funding should be approved and criticizes that fact that just two of the 14 California Republicans serving in Congress are “listed as members of the 194-member congressional caucus on Alzheimer’s funding.” Sacramento Bee.