Latest California Healthline Stories
Altering federal rules to allow Medicare Part D to cover drugs designed to treat obesity could result in significant cost savings for California and other states across the U.S., Jennifer Nieto Carey, California Healthcare Institute’s director of federal government relations and alliance development, writes in an opinion piece in The Hill‘s “Congress Blog.” Noting that about 25% of California’s adult population is affected by obesity, Nieto writes, “As Congress seeks to reduce the cost of health care spending, increasing access to medications that will help halt one of the most costly chronic health conditions just makes good economic and public health sense.” The Hill‘s “Congress Blog.”
Transportation Demand Workers Trying To Retain CalPERS Benefits Following Audit
A CalPERS audit found that the Contra Costa County transportation demand program incorrectly classified employees as city workers. Transpac — the central Contra Costa County transportation planning committee — is now shifting employees to the Transpac Joint Powers Authority, which will submit an application to CalPERS that should qualify the workers for CalPERS. San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times.
L.A. Council OKs Six-Month Study on Text-to-911
Los Angeles Council members have approved a six-month study to examine the cost and how to implement a system that would allow individuals to text 911 for emergency services. Similar 911 texting systems are in place in 100 U.S. cities, and advocates say such programs would help the deaf community access emergency services, as well as those who cannot speak during an emergency. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
The U.S. health care system was one of the least-efficient among developed nations before the Affordable Care Act was implemented, according to a Bloomberg analysis. The analysis ranked the U.S. as 44th out of the 51 nations, behind China, Serbia and Turkey. However, that was an improvement over 2013, when the U.S. ranked 46th of 48 countries. Bloomberg.
DPH Confirms Four Enterovirus Cases in California
On Thursday, the California Department of Public Health announced that four children in the state have contracted enterovirus D68. The children involved — including three in San Diego County and one in Ventura — all have received treatment for the respiratory virus and been discharged from the hospital. KQED’s “State of Health” et al.
7.3M U.S. Residents Have Paid Exchange Plan Premiums, CMS Says
CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner announced that 7.3 million of the eight million people who signed up for coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges have paid their premiums. CMS is relying on monthly insurer reports for the figures due to technical issues with the federal computer systems. New York Times et al.
DHCS Rule Aims To Curb Antipsychotic Drugs for Children in Medi-Cal
A new California Department of Health Care Services rule aims to stem the overuse of antipsychotic drugs among children in the state’s Medicaid program by requiring physicians to obtain extra authorization when prescribing such medication. San Jose Mercury News.
Covered Calif. Addresses Dropped Policies, Stays Neutral on Prop. 45
Yesterday, a Covered California official acknowledged that some state residents were abruptly switched from private coverage to Medicaid without proper notification. Meanwhile, the exchange board voted against taking an official stance on a ballot measure that would give the state authority over health insurance premium rates. AP/Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
McKesson Donates 4M Pairs of Medical Gloves to Ebola-Stricken Country
On Thursday, San Francisco-based McKesson announced that it will send four million pairs of latex gloves to Sierra Leone, which is one of the nation’s hit hardest by the Ebola outbreak. McKesson’s donation is part of a larger effort organized by World Vision, a humanitarian group, and the World Health Organization’s Ebola Task Force. San Francisco Business Times‘ “BizTalk.”
UC Struggles To Meet Demand of Students Requesting Mental Health Services
University of California students seeking mental health care are facing wait times of four weeks or longer as the university system struggles to keep up with demand. During a UC Regents board meeting, officials revealed data that showed the number of students visiting university counseling centers has increased by 37% in the last six years. KQED’s “State of Health.”