Latest California Healthline Stories
Calif. Attorney General Likely To File Suit Over CalPERS Investments, According to SEC Filing
In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing this week, Morgan Stanley disclosed that California Attorney General Kamala Harris in May said the state likely would file a lawsuit against the investment bank over its marketing of $200 million worth of real estate investments to CalPERS. Harris said the company misled CalPERS, but the bank said it “does not agree with these conclusions and has presented defenses” to the attorney general. Sacramento Bee.
Analysis: Rural Residents Pay Higher Premiums for ACA Health Plans
A new Robert Wood Johnson Foundation analysis finds that rural residents sometimes pay as much as $200 more in premiums for mid-level plans purchased through the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges than urban residents. The analysis also shows that residents in rural areas have fewer plan options than those in urban settings. Modern Healthcare.
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute has given initial approval for a three-year, $2.1 million grant for UC-Davis nursing school to examine new ways to improve health for patients with diabetes. For example, the study would test different approaches to better manage care, such as mobile technology and nurse coaches. Sacramento Business Journal.
Most U.S. Residents Support ACA Subsidies in Both State, Federal Exchanges, Poll Finds
A majority of U.S. residents say all eligible enrollees should have access to subsidies to help them purchase coverage through the health insurance exchanges, regardless if they live in a state that has established its own exchange, according to a Morning Consult survey released Tuesday. Overall, the survey found that 58% of respondents said U.S. residents purchasing coverage in both state- and federally run exchanges should have access to the subsidies. Meanwhile, 15% said not all U.S. residents should have access to the subsidies, and 27% offered no opinion. Washington Post‘s “Wonkblog.”
UC-Berkeley Study: Energy, Sports Drinks Contain High Amounts of Potentially Harmful Additives
On Wednesday, UC-Berkeley’s Atkins Center for Weight and Health released a study finding that 21 sports and energy drinks contain high amounts of substances that could be harmful to children’s health. Researchers analyzed the drinks for caffeine, sodium, sugar and other additives. KQED’s “State of Health.”
IRS 100% Accurate on Early Subsidy Calculations, Audit Finds
An audit by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration finds that the Internal Revenue Service accurately calculated the maximum monthly insurance subsidies for individuals purchasing coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s insurance exchanges during the first two weeks of the initial open enrollment period. Reuters et al.
States That Embrace ACA Have Lower Uninsured Rates, Survey Finds
A Gallup poll finds that states that have fully embraced the Affordable Care Act — such as California and Kentucky — have seen the most reductions in uninsured residents. The poll showed that the 10 states with the largest declines in uninsured rates both expanded Medicaid under the ACA and established their own health insurance exchanges. New York Times‘ “The Upshot” et al.
Calif. Lawmakers To Consider Slew of Health-Related Bills This Month
The California Legislature has reconvened to consider more than 1,000 bills — including several health care-related measures — before its two-year session ends Aug. 31. The health-related bills under consideration address charity care requirements for not-for-profit hospitals, paid sick leave and other issues. Los Angeles Times et al.
Study: Few California Providers Adopt Bundled Payment Method
A new study finds that several California hospitals and insurers chose not to adopt bundled payments after failing to see improvements in care costs and quality during a pilot program. However, researchers say issues with the payment method are “solvable problems.” Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules,” Health Affairs.
Stakeholders Push To Expand Covered Calif. Provider Networks
Health care advocates and stakeholders in California are working to expand provider networks on plans offered through the state health insurance exchange. Some insurers already have added a significant number of physicians to their networks this year, while legislators are considering bills to increase oversight of provider networks. Sacramento Business Journal.