Latest California Healthline Stories
Health Care Stakeholders Outline Calif.’s ACA Progress, Challenges
During a forum hosted by the Sacramento Business Journal, health care stakeholders in California discussed the state’s progress in implementing the Affordable Care Act and the challenges going forward, such as improving outreach to employers. Meanwhile, one panelist voiced concerns about a ballot initiative related to health insurance rate regulation. Sacramento Business Journal.
CIRM Awards $16.6M Grant to Stem Cell Research Company Working on Type 1 Diabetes Cure
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine has awarded a $16.6 million grant to diabetes therapy company ViaCyte to develop a stem cell replacement therapy to treat patients with Type 1 diabetes. The therapy, which uses human embryonic stem cells to create pancreatic “islet” cells, could effectively cure patients with Type 1 diabetes. Pharmaceutical Business Review, U-T San Diego.
USC, Los Angeles Times Poll Finds Weak Voter Support for Proposition 46
A new poll by the University of Southern California Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and the Los Angeles Times shows that 61% of likely voters support a November ballot measure that would increase the state’s $250,000 limit on pain-and-suffering awards in malpractice lawsuits and require physicians to be drug tested. However, support for Proposition 46 declined to 47% when respondents were told of the high potential costs to the state, as well as possible savings, and dropped to 37% when respondents heard the main arguments from both sides of the campaign. Los Angeles Times.
States’ decisions on how to implement portions of the Affordable Care Act have had significant effects, according to a new Brookings Institution study. According to the study, individuals living in the five states — Alabama, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming — that were most resistant to the ACA spent $245 more annually on health insurance premiums than individuals in all other states. Washington Post‘s “Wonkblog.”
Telehealth Can Reduce Costs, Improve Chronic Disease Management, Study Finds
Telemedicine can help cut costs and improve care management for patients with chronic illnesses but adopting a uniform approach to telemedicine services would not be effective, according to a study published in the journal Telemedicine and e-Health. For example, congestive heart failure was best managed by long-term telemonitoring, while stroke was most effectively treated via telestroke methods that prompt early interventions. FierceHealthIT.
Census Bureau Finds Health Spending Growth Moderate in Q2
A new Census Bureau report finds that health spending grew more moderately than some expected in the second quarter, despite the Affordable Care Act’s coverage expansion and a recovering economy. According to the report, health and social spending grew by 3.7% from the second quarter of 2013 to the same quarter this year. Wall Street Journal et al.
House OKs Bill To Allow Businesses To Keep Canceled Health Plans
Yesterday, the House approved a bill that would allow insurers to continue to offer employer-based health plans that do not meet Affordable Care Act minimum coverage standards. However, the Senate is not expected to take up the legislation and the White House issued a veto threat. Washington Times et al.
Wellpoint, Blue Shield Dominate California Exchange Market
A new Avalere Health analysis finds that Wellpoint and Blue Shield of California plans account for more than half of the health insurance exchange market in California. Health Net and Kaiser have the next-largest shares in the state’s exchange market. Forbes, Avalere release.
Report: Many Californians Support Changes to Medicare Program
A new report by the Center for Healthcare Decisions finds that most Californians would support Medicare reducing low-value coverage and using a defined physician network in order to keep the program solvent. However, many participants also support adding coverage for certain services to the program. Sacramento Business Journal, Center for Healthcare Decisions report.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of September 12, 2014
St. Joseph Hoag Health and Children’s Hospital of Orange County have partnered to create an accountable care organization. Nurses at the University of Southern California’s Verdugo Hills Hospital are petitioning for increased funds to improve care and bolster staff benefits packages.