Latest California Healthline Stories
UC-Davis’ $7.5M Behavioral Health Center Opens
On Wednesday, the UC-Davis Health System’s Sacramento campus launched a $7.5 million behavioral health center. The facility, which is part of a $15 million research effort funded by Proposition 63 to support mental health services, will focus on neuroscience. Sacramento Business Journal et al.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of October 3, 2014
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has informed state and federal officials that more than 33,000 patient records were affected when an employee’s laptop was stolen in June, exceeding an initial estimate of 500 records. Gov. Brown has signed a bill allocating $3 million to Doctors Medical Center, allowing DMC to remain open through January or February.
DMHC Fines Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Universal Care $150K Over Payment, Fiduciary Issues
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Signal Hill-based Universal Care have been fined a combined $150,000 by the California Department of Managed Health Care. The fines were related to unfair payment patterns and fiduciary violations. Payers & Providers.
Covered Calif. Signs $14M Deal for New Call Center
Covered California has awarded a $14 million contract to Roseville-based InSync Consulting Services and Virginia-based Faneuil for a temporary Sacramento call center that is expected to hire 500 workers over the next 30 days. Exchange spokesperson James Scullary said the center is aimed at reducing delays during “peak demand times.” Sacramento Business Journal.
Military Health System Provides Average Patient Access, Care Quality
A comprehensive review finds that care provided by the military’s health care system generally is comparable to the private sector, but it identifies several areas for improvement. Department of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel ordered DOD to develop a plan to improve and track care at all of the military’s hospitals and clinics by the end of the year. Los Angeles Times‘ “Nation Now” et al.
Catholic Group Files Complaint Over Calif. Abortion Coverage Rules
The California Catholic Conference alleges that a state Department of Managed Health Care mandate that insurers provide abortion coverage discriminates against groups that oppose abortion and directly targets Catholic institutions. AP/Wall Street Journal et al.
Lawsuit Filed Over HHS’ Failure To Publicize Insurance Rate Increases
Jay Angoff, a former HHS official, has filed a lawsuit alleging that HHS has not publicized health insurance rate increase requests as required under the Affordable Care Act. HHS says that it plans to publicize final insurance rates for all 50 states prior to the start of the upcoming open enrollment period. Washington Post‘s “Wonkblog,” Consumers Council of Missouri lawsuit.
Report Finds Lack of Care Coordination for Calif.’s Vulnerable Groups
A recent report finds that many of California’s most vulnerable populations — including homeless individuals, juveniles in the criminal justice system and adult inmates — do not receive “whole-person care” through the state Medicaid program. Payers & Providers, John Snow Inc. report.
Bankruptcy Judge Ruling Shakes Pension Protections, CalPERS Comes Out Against Ruling
On Wednesday, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Klein ruled that cities that declare bankruptcy can reduce payments for future workers’ retirements, similar to how it handles other debts. Observers say the ruling could jeopardize CalPERS pension protections. However, CalPERS issued a statement saying that the ruling is not legally binding and does not set a precedent for future cases. KQED’s “California Report” et al.
UCLA Awarded $3M To Combat Secondhand Smoke in L.A.
The UCLA Center for Health Policy Research has received a $3 million federal grant to help reduce the effects of secondhand smoke among low-income black and Latino families who reside in Los Angeles. The center will use the grant to implement a comprehensive action plan to curb smoking exposure in Los Angeles apartment buildings. Payers & Providers.