Latest California Healthline Stories
CMS Releases Final Rule To Ease, Reduce Medicare Regulations
CMS has issued a final rule that aims to ease and reduce unnecessary, obsolete or overly burdensome Medicare regulations for hospitals and other providers. The regulation is projected to save health care providers an estimated $660 million annually and as much as $3.2 billion over five years. Modern Healthcare.
Few Businesses Have Enrolled Through Calif. SHOP Exchange
Only about 1,200 of 700,000 small businesses in California have enrolled in plans through the state’s Small Business Health Options Program, a health insurance exchange system for companies with 50 or fewer employees. Experts say the program took “a backseat” as Covered California focused primarily on enrollment in the individual exchange. Voice of San Diego/Kaiser Health News.
Rx Misuse Significantly Increasing in Bay Area, Experts Say
During a regional summit on Wednesday, public health officials, substance misuse experts and law enforcement officials said that misuse of prescription drugs has significantly increased in the San Francisco Bay Area. Officials noted that health care providers often do not check a statewide database of patients’ prescription history before prescribing such medications. Contra Costa Times.
DMHC Seizes Control of Alameda Alliance for Health
On Tuesday, the California Department of Managed Health Care took control of the Alameda Alliance for Health, a Northern California Medi-Cal managed care plan. DMHC officials said the move comes after the plan had financial difficulties and failed to meet the state’s requirements for solvency standards. Payers & Providers.
CNA, Advocates Protest Kaiser Rate Hikes Amid $21.7B Reserve Fund
California Nurses Association members and health care advocates are protesting Kaiser Permanente’s rate increases and cuts to patient care services. The criticism comes in light of the health maintenance organization’s $21.7 billion reserve fund. San Francisco Chronicle‘s “ChronRX,” CNA release.
The Orange County chapter of Americans for Safe Access is circulating a petition to allow eight medical marijuana dispensaries to legally open in Costa Mesa. The petition, which needs 4,896 signatures to qualify for the November ballot, would restrict areas the dispensaries could operate, require stores to have security guards, require workers to receive background checks and allow the city to collect a 6% sales tax. Orange County Register.
A Census Bureau report released Tuesday finds that the number of U.S. residents age 65 and older is expected to nearly double from 43.1 million in 2012 to 83.7 by 2050, spurring “profound changes” in health care spending and federal programs. According to the report, the increase in elderly residents in part has been spurred by declining rates mortality. New York Times.
L.A. Supervisors Work To Address Inmates With Mental Illnesses, Other Medical Problems
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to launch a study to determine how the county can keep offenders with mental illnesses out of the jail system. In addition, the supervisors approved a $2 billion plan that includes replacing the county’s Men’s Central Jail with a facility for inmates with mental health issues, substance use disorders or other medical problems. Los Angeles Times.
Hospital EHR Adoption, Health Data Exchange Increases
An American Hospital Association survey — funded by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT — found that 93% of hospitals report being “in possession” of a certified electronic health record system. In addition, the number of hospitals that can electronically send patient health data to external providers rose by 51% between 2008 and 2013. Health Data Management et al.
CHA, Union Reach Deal Over Hospital Pricing, Executive Pay
Under a new deal with the California Hospital Association, the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West has agreed to drop two ballot initiatives targeting hospital pricing and executive pay. The groups also have agreed to fund a $100 million campaign aimed at reforming Medicaid. Modern Healthcare et al.