Latest California Healthline Stories
Bill To Reform Covered California Board Headed to Gov. Brown
A bill that would diversify the five-member board overseeing the state’s health insurance exchange is headed to Gov. Brown’s desk. The bill would widen the eligibility for joining the board to include experts in enrollment assistance, health insurance marketing and information technology. AP/Washington Times.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of June 20, 2014
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors approved $6 million in funding to temporarily keep Doctors Medical Center open. A new specialty hospital for cancer patients is slated to open in the UC-San Diego Jacobs Medical Center in 2016.
Calif. Senate Advances Bill To Limit Tackling in Football Practices To Reduce Concussion Risk
On Thursday, the California Senate advanced a bill that would limit the number of full-contact football practices for middle and high school teams in an effort to reduce the risk of concussions. The measure also would call for medical professionals to examine students who experienced head injuries before they are allowed to return to the game. Reuters.
Ventura County Public Health Department First in California To Receive National Accreditation
On Thursday, officials said that the Ventura County Public Health Department is the first in the state to earn a five-year national accreditation by meeting standards related to 97 performance measures in 12 areas, such as emergency preparedness, outbreak surveillance and public outreach about health hazards. Only 44 public health programs across the country have received the designation, but eight other agencies in California currently are working toward national accreditation. Ventura County Star.
More Than 260 Physicians Partner To Form California Integrated Physician Practice Association
Sixteen small physician practices in California comprised of more than 260 physicians have formed the California Integrated Physician Practice Association. The groups partnered to fight a bill that would have banned doctors from offering some types of in-office physician referrals, and the practices decided to form an association after the measure failed. Sacramento Business Journal.
Contra Costa Health Plan Likely To Leave Exchange in 2015
Contra Costa Health Plan officials have said the insurer likely will not offer coverage through the state health insurance exchange in 2015 because of a rule requiring it to offer the same plans both on and off the exchange. CCHP CEO Patricia Tanquary said that offering the same plans inside and outside of the exchange would be expensive and would cause premiums to increase. Contra Costa Times.
Younger U.S. Residents Feel Healthier, Spend Less on Health Care After ACA Implementation
U.S. residents ages 19 to 25 reported feeling healthier and spending less out of pocket on health care costs in the year after passage of the Affordable Care Act, according to a research letter published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Compared with U.S. residents ages 26 to 34, 4% more young adults reported having excellent mental health and 6.2% more young adults reported being in excellent physical health after the health law’s passage. Los Angeles Times’ “Nation Now,” Vox.
Lawmakers Advance Bill To Reinstate Medi-Cal Coverage of Adult Day Health Care Services
On Wednesday, a bill advanced in the California Senate health committee that would restore Medi-Cal coverage for adult day health care services, which provide health care and social services to individuals with disabilities. In 2011, the services were cut from Medi-Cal because of budget problems. The bill now heads to the full Senate for consideration. Reuters.
Study: ACA Exchange Rates To Increase by 8% on Average in 2015
An Avalere Health analysis of preliminary rate filings in nine states shows that premiums for plans sold through insurance exchanges would increase an average of 8% in 2015. According to the analysis, premiums would increase in all of the surveyed states except for Oregon, which is expected to see an average decrease of 1.4%. Modern Healthcare et al.
California Ranks in Top 10 for Long-Term Care, AARP Report Finds
An AARP scorecard released today ranks California ninth overall for support systems for older or disabled adults and their caregivers. In five key areas, California’s rankings ranged from 2nd for choice of provider and setting to 24th for quality of life and care and support for family caregivers. HealthyCal et al.