Latest California Healthline Stories
UCLA Researchers Find LGBT Individuals Report Lower Physical Well-Being Than Non-LGBT Individuals
A new data analysis by researchers at UCLA School of Law’s Williams Institute found evidence that lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender U.S. residents report a significantly lower sense of physical well-being compared with non-LGBT individuals. The study’s author said the report illustrates the need for more studies to understand the relationships between a person’s health and well-being and sexual orientation and gender identity. Long Beach Post.
L.A. County Officials Work To Address High Number of Inmates With Mental Illnesses
Los Angeles County officials are taking several steps to address the growing number of inmates with mental illnesses. For example, the county is moving forward with plans to develop a new $1.7 billion “mental health jail” to house such inmates, while Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey is working on recommendations to divert arrestees with mental illnesses from the penal system. HealthyCal.
Researchers at the University of Southern California Eye Institute have published a study that found an increased risk of diabetic retinopathy — the top cause of blindness in the U.S. — among Latinos diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes who have Native American ancestry. Specifically, the study found Latinos who are more than 50% Native American had an 87% increased risk of having diabetic retinopathy. HealthyCal.
Medicare Rating System for Nursing Homes Could Mislead Stakeholders, Analysis Finds
Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare rating system often is based on incomplete information and can therefore mislead consumers, investors and other stakeholders about facilities’ conditions, according to an analysis by the New York Times. The ratings are used by providers to help decide where to refer patients when they are discharged from hospitals and they are usually the first metric investors and lenders use to help decide whether to fund a nursing home. New York Times‘ “Business Day.
U.S. Chief Technology Officer Todd Park, who spearheaded several federal health IT initiatives, reportedly will step down from his position by the end of the year. According to sources, Park made the decision to step down as White House CTO to move his family back to California, where he is expected to take on a new White House role to recruit top IT talent to work for the federal government. Park’s departure has not yet been confirmed by the Obama administration. Modern Healthcare, FCW.
Report: Calif. Policies To Fight Tobacco Related Cancer Falling Short
A new report by the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network finds that California is falling short in its efforts to prevent tobacco-related cancer, including Medicaid coverage for tobacco cessation programs, tobacco use prevention funding and tobacco tax and price increases. KFBK News et al.
Oregon Sues Oracle Over Problem-Plagued Insurance Exchange Site
In a new lawsuit filed against Oracle America, Oregon alleges that the company submitted fraudulent claims and failed to deliver on its contractual obligations for the state health insurance exchange. The suit comes two weeks after Oracle filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit against the state. Los Angeles Times‘ “Nation Now” et al.
HHS Issues Two New Contraceptive Coverage Rules Under ACA
HHS has released two rules designed to address gaps in contraceptive coverage created by the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby ruling. The rules provide religiously affiliated not-for-profit organizations and closely held, for-profit companies a new avenue for objections to the coverage mandated under the Affordable Care Act. MSNBC et al.
Covered California Failed To Reach Black Residents, Lawmakers Say
During a Covered California board meeting last week, two California lawmakers said the exchange failed to adequately reach out to the state’s black population during the first open enrollment period. In addition, they said exchange staff ignored an attempt by the state’s Black Caucus to help with outreach. Sacramento Business Journal.
Calif. Insurers Required To Cover Elective Abortions, DMHC Says
California Department of Managed Health Director Michelle Rouillard has sent a letter informing seven California insurers that they are required under state law to include coverage for elective abortions in group health plans. The move comes after two Catholic universities in the state adopted policies that excluded such coverage. San Jose Mercury News et al.