Latest California Healthline Stories
Pharmaceutical Groups Argue in Court Against Alameda County Rx Drug Take-Back Law
On Friday, the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, Biotechnology Industry Organization and Generic Pharmaceutical Association argued in the U.S. Court of Appeals against Alameda County’s drug take-back law. The law requires drugmakers to design and pay for a comprehensive prescription drug disposal program. San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Business Times‘ “BiotechSF.”
Shingles on the Rise in California, Other States
Experts say there has been an increase in cases of herpes zoster, or shingles, in California and other states since the 1990s. The illness is on the rise among most age groups — not just individuals over age 60, who are the most vulnerable to the virus — even though a vaccine was introduced in 2006 to inoculate against the virus. Sacramento Bee.
California Endowment, Business Groups Launch Spanish-Language Website With ACA Information
The California Endowment, the California Chamber of Commerce and other prominent business groups have launched a new Spanish-language website to help Latino business owners and employees purchase coverage under the Affordable Care Act. The new website is a Spanish-only version of the Health Law Guide for Business and contains information on the ACA, such as the types of documents required to apply for health insurance and how an individual’s immigration status can affect eligibility. Sacramento Bee.
On Wednesday, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine said it is addressing a “risk of conflict of interest” after the organization’s former president recently was named to the board of directors of StemCells Inc. John Simpson, director of Consumer Watchdog’s stem cell project, said the move appears to be a conflict of interest because CIRM had awarded StemCells Inc. $19 million. Los Angeles Times‘ “Science Now.”
DPH Warns About Telephone Scam Targeting Individuals Who Recently Underwent Surgery
The California Department of Public Health has issued a warning to consumers about a telephone scam primarily targeting women who might recently have undergone surgery. According to DPH, the callers ask about personal health information in an attempt to obtain Social Security numbers, banking information, medical history or other personal data. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Calif. Uninsured Rate Falls to 11% After Exchange Open Enrollment
A new Commonwealth Fund survey finds that the uninsured rate in California dropped from 22% to 11% after the state health insurance exchange’s first open enrollment period. In addition, the survey finds that more Californians are aware of the exchange and subsidies offered through the Affordable Care Act. Los Angeles Times et al.
Study Finds Link Between Anti-ACA Ads and Enrollment in Coverage
A study by a Brookings Institution fellow suggests that negative advertisements targeting the Affordable Care Act in states with close Senate races appears to have influenced more individuals residing in blue states to enroll in coverage under the law. However, the ads appear to have reduced enrollment in red states. The Hill, Brookings Institution’s “Tech Tank.”
GAO: Most Insurers Met Medical-Loss Ratio Rules in 2011, 2012
A Government Accountability Office report finds that about 75% of health insurers spent enough of their customers’ premiums on medical services in 2011 and 2012 to avoid having to issue refunds as required under the Affordable Care Act’s medical-loss ratio provision. The report shows insurers spent a median of 88% of premiums on medical care in 2011 and 2012. Modern Healthcare.
UnitedHealth Sues Calif. Insurance Commissioner Jones Over $173M Fine
On Thursday, UnitedHealth Group filed a lawsuit against California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones to block a $173.6 million fine imposed on the insurer for problems that occurred during an acquisition in 2005. The fines stems from issues with medical claims and policyholder applications when UnitedHealth bought PacifiCare in Cypress. Los Angeles Times.
Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West President Dave Regan and SEIU California President Laphonza Butler have sent a series of letters urging California lawmakers to stop accepting political contributions from Prime Healthcare Services and its CEO Prem Reddy. In the letters, they wrote, “We are making this extraordinary request because Prime Healthcare is an outlier in healthcare; they are bad for patients, bad for taxpayers, bad for workers and bad for our community.” The letters come after Prime refused to sign a set of guidelines to help the union’s efforts to organize. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”