Latest California Healthline Stories
On Tuesday, a federal judge granted class-action status to a civil rights lawsuit filed last year by Riverside County inmates who allege the county’s five jails provide inadequate medical and mental health care. The ruling will give thousands of inmates legal standing in the lawsuit. Riverside Press Enterprise, AP/Sacramento Bee.
Covered California: 98K Enrollees Still Must Verify Immigration Status
Yesterday, Covered California officials said about 92,000 exchange enrollees failed to respond to an initial request to verify their lawful presence in the U.S. and 6,000 enrollees responded with incomplete information. The residents could lose their health coverage if they fail to verify their immigration status by Sept. 30. U-T San Diego, Covered California release.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of September 5, 2014
A federal judge has ruled that Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo can make service cuts to its emergency department. Kaiser Permanente has extended its current contract with the California Nurses Association through Sept. 30.
Watsonville Nursing Home Officials Take Issue With Federal Lawsuit’s Claims of Abuse Medicare, Fraud
Officials at Country Villa Watsonville East Nursing Center and County Villa Watsonville West Nursing Center took issue with a recently filed federal lawsuit, saying that the facilities are under new management and that the centers were not allowed to submit evidence that contradicted prosecutors’ findings. Last week, U.S. Attorney Melinda Haag’s office filed a civil False Claims Act complaint against the owners, operators and managers of two Watsonville nursing homes, alleging abuse and Medicare fraud. Santa Cruz Sentinel.
DPH Report: 9% of California Stores Have Illegally Sold Tobacco to Adolescents This Year
A new California Department of Public Health report finds that 9% of stores in California this year sold tobacco products to adolescents under the age of 18, up from 7.6% of stores that did so last year. The increase comes after tobacco sales to minors steadily decreased for two decades. Some observers have said that e-cigarette sales could be contributing to the upward trend this year. Payers & Providers.
Full Appeals Court Takes Up Halbig v. Burwell Case
Today, the full U.S. District Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia announced it will take up a case, Halbig v. Burwell, challenging the federal government’s authority to provide subsidies to U.S. residents who purchased coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s federal insurance exchange. The hearing could benefit the Obama administration because the full court could reverse the panel’s earlier ruling that such subsidies are illegal. Huffington Post et al.
Report: Health Care Spending Growth Expected To Rise in 2014
A new report from a group of CMS economists and actuaries finds that U.S. health care spending is expected to increase by 5.6% in 2014 after years of slow growth. However, health care spending growth through 2023 still is expected to be lower than it had been in the two decades leading up to economic recession in 2007. New York Times et al.
CVS Halts Tobacco Products Sales, Changes Company Name To Rebrand as Health Care-Focused Firm
As of midnight on Tuesday, CVS ceased selling tobacco products in all 7,700 of its stores, fulfilling a promise the company made earlier this year. In addition, CVS announced Wednesday that the company is changing its name to CVS Health, as part of its efforts to rebrand itself as a firm that provides basic health services. New York Times, Wall Street Journal.
California Officials Fine Safeguard Health Plans $100K Over ‘Unfair’ Claims Handling and Payments
The California Department of Managed Health Care has levied a $100,000 fine against Safeguard Health Plans for violating a state law regarding the handling of claims and payments. An audit of the company dating back to 2008 found an “unfair” pattern of claims handling and payments. Payers & Providers.
Calif. Mayors Press Brown To Sign Bill To Restrict Guns for Mentally Ill
Yesterday, a group representing nearly 70 mayors from across California sent a letter to Gov. Brown urging him to sign a bill that would allow law enforcement officers to request temporary restraining orders to prevent individuals who are suspected of having mental health issues or who are potentially violent from purchasing or possessing guns. Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal” et al.