Latest California Healthline Stories
Northern Calif. University Posts Meningitis Advisory
Last Week, a Northern California university posted an advisory for students in a campus dorm to take an antibiotic after one student was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. Officials at Humboldt State University said that the student was in critical condition at a Redding hospital and that they were working to contact individuals who were in close contact with the student. AP/Miami Herald.
Appeals Court Dismisses Pension Ballot Initiative Case
On Friday, Sacramento’s 3rd District Court of Appeal “dismissed as moot” a case by former San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed that claimed language used to describe a ballot initiative to change pension benefits for current local government employees was biased. Reed said the court likely decided the case was irrelevant after the November elections. Sacramento Bee‘s “The State Worker.”
More Than 462,000 Sign Up for Coverage Through HealthCare.gov During First Week of Open Enrollment
On Wednesday, HHS announced that 462,125 people signed up for a health plan through HealthCare.gov from Nov. 15 to Nov. 21 — the first week of the exchange’s second open enrollment period. In comparison, just 106,185 consumers signed up for coverage during the exchange’s first open enrollment period last year. In addition, officials said that 48% of enrollees so far this year had not previously purchased health insurance through the federal exchange. Vox, Washington Post.
Riverside County Supervisors Allocate $9.4M To Implement an EHR System in Correctional Facilities
On Monday, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors voted to allocate $9.4 million for an electronic health record system to be implemented in county correctional facilities. The board voted to award a $5 million EHR contract to Alabama-based NaphCare and earmark $4.4 million for EHR-related costs over the next 10 years. Banning-Beaumont Patch.
New Medicaid, CHIP Eligibility Formula Puts Coverage at Risk
Health care advocates say a new formula to calculate income for Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program complicates the renewal process for beneficiaries who enrolled in the programs before Jan. 1. Advocates say that renewal forms are too complex, and there is a lawsuit pending in California. Modern Healthcare.
CalPERS Recipients Eventually Will Outnumber Pension Contributors
A new report finds that retirees receiving CalPERS benefits eventually will outnumber current employees contributing to the program by a two-to-one ratio. CalPERS says it has anticipated the trend and is taking steps to mitigate any negative effects. Sacramento Bee‘s “The State Worker.”
Feds Warn Employers Against Dropping Sick Workers From Plans
HHS and the departments of Labor and Treasury have published a bulletin warning employers that encouraging sick workers to drop company health plans and purchase coverage through the health insurance exchanges created under the Affordable Care Act violates restrictions in place under HIPAA and the Public Health Service Act. Kaiser Health News.
Officials Say California Is Ready To Handle Potential Ebola Cases
During an Assembly health committee hearing, California health officials said they are prepared to respond to future Ebola cases within the state. While there have been no confirmed cases of the illness in California, committee Chair Richard Pan said there still is a risk of Ebola in the state. Elk Grove Citizen.
Dignity Health Reports Q3 2014 Declines From Medi-Cal Income Losses
On Tuesday, San Francisco-based Dignity Health reported declines in revenue, operating income, investment income and net income for the third quarter of 2014. The company attributed the declines in large part to a loss of income from the Medi-Cal provider fee, which has yet to be approved by federal health officials. Sacramento Business Journal.
L.A. County Officials Grant Final Approval To Implement Laura’s Law Mental Health Program
On Tuesday, Los Angeles County officials signed off on a plan to implement Laura’s Law, a program that allows court-ordered intensive outpatient treatment for people with serious mental illnesses. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in July voted to adopt Laura’s Law. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”