Latest California Healthline Stories
Target Partners With Kaiser Permanente in Southern Calif.
Target has partnered with Kaiser Permanente to expand the health care services offered at four of its in-store clinics in Southern California. Under the pilot program, nurse practitioners from Kaiser will staff four clinics in the San Diego-area, allowing for the clinics to expand the range of services offered at those locations. Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal‘s “Morning Edition,” MedCity News.
S.F. Health Care Industry Sees Major Growth in 2014
On Tuesday, the Hospital Council of Northern California released a report that found San Francisco’s health care industry’s economic activity has increased by nearly $11 billion since 2012, generating more than $28 billion in economic activity in 2014. The report attributes the growth to an increase in new hospitals, hospital expansions and biomedical firms. San Francisco Chronicle.
HHS Panel Votes To Allow Blood Donations From Men Who Have Sex With Men in Some Cases
On Thursday, an HHS advisory panel voted to allow men who have sex with men to donate blood if they have not engaged in sexual activity with another man for at least one year. HHS’ Advisory Committee on Blood and Tissue Safety and Availability voted 16-2 to approve the change, which would allow MSM to donate blood in the U.S. “for the first time in decades.” Washington Times.
About seven in 10 U.S. residents who purchased coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges during the first round of enrollment described the quality of their care and coverage as “good” or “excellent,” according to a Gallup poll released Friday. Meanwhile, the ACA’s approval rating has reached a new low, according to a separate Gallup poll released Monday. New York Times, Washington Times.
More Than 100K Submit Exchange Applications on First Day, HHS Says
HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell said about 100,000 U.S. residents submitted applications for coverage through HealthCare.gov on the first day of the Affordable Care Act’s second open enrollment period. Some HealthCare.gov users reported minor errors, such as difficulties submitting or resetting passwords. Washington Post‘s “Post Politics” et al.
CMS: Exchange Plan Premiums Will Rise for Some Current Enrollees
The Obama administration has released data that show most U.S. residents who purchased plans through the Affordable Care Act’s federal health insurance exchange in 2013 will see significant premium increases for 2015 if they do not select new health plans. Officials recommend that consumers shop around for plans with moderate premium increases. New York Times et al.
California Hospitals Working To Divert Non-Urgent Patients From EDs
Hospitals across California are trying to divert non-urgent patients from emergency departments by using navigator programs that connect patients with primary care physicians and other methods. The efforts aim to reduce ED wait times. Sacramento Bee‘s “Healthy Choices.”
Opinion Piece Calls for Increased Support for Public Health Systems Amid ACA-Related Cuts
In a San Francisco Chronicle opinion piece, health economics researcher Lauren Reed-Guy argues that a provision in the Affordable Care Act that will reduce federal funding for safety-net hospitals by about half in 2018 could jeopardize trauma care in the San Francisco Bay Area, where nearly all trauma centers are located in safety-net hospitals. Reed-Guy writes, “If health reform is going to help those who need it most, public health systems should be receiving more funding so they can serve more people and serve them better.” San Francisco Chronicle.
Joint Commission’s ‘Top Performer’ Ratings Face Criticism
Some critics say that a recently released Joint Commission report could be misleading to consumers because it names hospitals to its “Top Performer” list for only following standard procedures. Lisa McGiffert, director of the Safe Patient Project at the Consumers Union, said, “Consumers need to look at much more than this to know if their hospital is a top performer.” However, Joint Commission officials say their report is based on specific measures with clear evidence showing they drive better outcomes. Modern Healthcare.
Health Net Subsidiary Wins Five-Year Contract To Provide Specialty Care to Calif. Prison Inmates
On Thursday, Health Net announced that one of its subsidiaries — Health Net Federal Services — has been awarded a five-year contract with the California Department of Corrections to provide specialty care at 35 prisons and two youth correctional centers across the state. Under the contract, HNFS will provide administration services for health care claims, develop electronic authorizations and coordinate specialty care. Sacramento Business Journal.