More News From Across The State
Managed-Care Tax Package Awaits State Legislature Consideration
The Sacramento Bee reports on the various dynamics at work with this $2.4 billion tax proposal.
The Sacramento Bee:
Health Plans’ Finances A Big Unknown In California Tax Swap Package
A $2.4 billion managed-care organization tax package awaiting votes in the California Legislature reflects the heavy imprint of the state’s health insurance industry, which pushed for major changes to avoid any tax hit that could be passed on to customers. (Miller, 2/20)
Prime Healthcare Ordered To Honor Labor Contract At 3 Hospitals
In other hospital news, prices are still hard to figure out. A bitcoin ransom paid by a Hollywood hospital is examined, and Adventist Health eyes operating another hospital in Southern California.
Modern Healthcare:
Prime Healthcare Ordered To Recognize Union Contract
The National Labor Relations Board on Friday ordered Prime Healthcare to honor its contract with 1,100 unionized employees at three of its Southern California hospitals. The NLRB gave Prime 21 days to comply.The hospital chain originally agreed to the contract with the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West on Nov. 10, 2014. (Sandler, 2/19)
Modern Healthcare:
Hospital Prices Are Still Hard To Come By (And Not Very Useful)
Consumers may have the legal right to get price quotes from hospitals, but that does mean it's easy or useful when they do, according to a health policy think tank that used mock consumers to test how accessible the information is in the real world. The mock consumers found it “difficult and frustrating” to get the price of a common and standard imaging procedure. When provided, prices were sometimes inaccurate, the Boston-based Pioneer Institute after its survey of 54 hospitals in six states. (Evans, 2/21)
Los Angeles Times:
$17,000 Bitcoin Ransom Paid By Hospital To Hackers Sparks Outrage
The malware ransom attack on Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center — which prompted the facility to pay a $17,000 ransom in bitcoin to the hacker who seized control of the hospital's computer systems — is part of a larger problem that is generating outrage. The hospital attack has prompted a California state senator to propose making it an extortion crime for a hacker to infect a computer system with so-called ransomware. (Winton, 2/19)
The Sacramento Business Journal:
Adventist Health Could Soon Gain Another Southern California Hospital
Roseville-based Adventist Health could soon operate another hospital in Southern California. A community hospital district southeast of Bakersfield has offered the health system a long-term lease agreement. If voters approve the deal in June, Adventist Health would operate Tehachapi Hospital. (Anderson, 2/21)
In other news: Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center weighs adding a $1.2 million stroke ambulance, the role of technology in treating psychiatric patients in ERs is examined, and a report names two California hospitals with high infection rates --
The Ventura County Star:
Los Robles Checks Out $1.2M Stroke Unit
The $1.2 million stroke ambulance parked in front of a Thousand Oaks hospital on Friday was made to save time and brain cells. It's for sale. Dr. M. Asif Taqi wants it in Ventura County. (Kisken, 2/20)
Modern Healthcare:
Could Technology Be The Answer To The Crisis Facing Psychiatric Patients In EDs?
Over a 2½-year period, Aaron Hernandez was taken to the emergency department at a California hospital eight times on a 72-hour involuntary psychiatric hold. Doctors told the teen's family that inpatient treatment had to be voluntary, and Aaron, legally an adult at 18, would refuse. Anthony Hernandez spoke by cellphone as he drove from the California state psychiatric hospital that now houses his 20-year-old son. In September 2014, Aaron, in a delusional state, stabbed both his parents with a knife and used a baseball bat to beat the family dog to death. He was found not guilty of attempted murder by reason of insanity. (Kutscher, 2/20)
The Sacramento Business Journal:
State Report Names Two Local Hospitals With High Infection Rates
A new report says California hospitals face a rising threat from an intestinal bacterium. (Anderson, 2/19)
Investigation Of San Francisco's Zenefits Leaves Customers Looking For Guidance
In other news, a startup looks to make it easier for patients to get a second opinion from a doctor, and more insurers are embracing telehealth services.
The San Francisco Business Journal:
Four Things Zenefits Customers Need To Know
With Zenefits under investigation by multiple regulators, some of its approximately 10,000 customers are likely to be looking for guidance: where does the turmoil that has engulfed the company leave its clients? The once-sparkling San Francisco startup, which zoomed to a $4.5 billion valuation last May, has been tarnished in recent weeks by news that insurance departments in California, Washington and other states are investigating it for allegedly selling insurance without proper credentials. Its co-founder and CEO Parker Conrad resigned abruptly last week, its t op sales executive left the company without explanation three days later, and new CEO David Sacks acknowledged that the company and its employees made a number of serious errors in the compliance realm. (Rauber, 2/19)
Modern Healthcare:
Tech Company Connects Patients With Docs For Second Opinions
Access to top-tier specialists, second opinions and timely appointments. That's what the savviest and most connected patients get when they're faced with a serious medical condition.Technology company Grand Rounds has developed tools it says provide that same level of service to everyone else. The company's technology platform helps connect patients who want a second opinion on a diagnosis or treatment plan with physicians who are experts in their conditions. (Kutscher, 2/20)
Modern Healthcare:
Virtual Reality: More Insurers Are Embracing Telehealth
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama resisted paying for most telehealth services for years after their introduction. The insurer, which holds a near-monopoly of the state's commercial market, had cost concerns about the still-evolving technology that electronically connects patients with doctors and other clinicians. There wasn't even a clear definition of what qualified as a telehealth visit. (Herman, 2/20)
Milder Flu Strain May Be Keeping State Numbers Down
Other possible explanations for how this flu season is unfolding include theories that the available vaccine is a good match for the circulating flu strains, the virus may not be spreading rapidly because of unusually warm weather and the outbreak might not have peaked yet. Meanwhile, The San Diego Union Tribune reports on how a couple is facing Alzheimer's together.
Los Angeles Times:
A Milder 'B' Strain Might Be Keeping California's Flu Numbers Low
Though more people in California have been falling sick with the flu in the past few weeks, the season so far is proving milder than in recent years. Experts suggest several reasons: the available vaccine is a good match for the flu strains going around, the virus may not be spreading rapidly because of unusually warm weather, and the outbreak might not have peaked yet. (Karlamangla, 2/19)
The San Diego Union Tribune:
Alzheimer's No Barrier For Inseparable Couple
Every morning after breakfast, 90-year-old Chuck Steffen leaves his apartment to drive to the gym for a swim and workout, followed by a few errands. Then by lunchtime, he’s home again inside the secure walls of the memory-care wing at Aegis of Shadowridge. Chuck doesn’t have Alzheimer’s but his wife of 64 years, Mary Alice, does. And rather than put her in a center and visit each day, the retired dermatologist sold their home on Fire Mountain in Oceanside three years ago and moved in with her. He laments that the small and spare two-bedroom unit at the care center is a big step down from the large home and gardens they once shared, but for Chuck, living apart was unthinkable. (Kragen, 2/19)
Meanwhile, on the subject of environmental health -
Capital Public Radio:
Study: California Agency Fails To Regulate Pesticide Mixtures
A new study from UCLA says the California Department of Pesticide Regulation should do more to protect people from exposure to multiple pesticides. (Quinton, 2/18)
KERO:
Cal-State Bakersfield Strives To Conserve Water
Cal-State Bakersfield is one of the largest water consumers in Bakersfield, with almost 12,000 sprinkler heads across the entire property. Today, 23ABC's Meteorologist Mike Boyce spoke with the Associate Vice President of Facilities, Patrick Jacobs, to find out how they're utilizing drought-tolerant landscaping. A $250,000 grant from the California State University system, CSUB is creating "demonstration gardens", which is 3 separate sites totalling about 1 acre of land. Jacobs tells 23ABC, it is expected that water usage will be reduced from about 850,000 gallons of water per acre annually, down to about 200,000 gallons. (Boyce, 2/19)
The Bakersfield Californian:
Pipeline Operator Fined Over Arvin Gas Leak
A state regulator has fined Petro Capital Resources $75,000 over a gas pipeline leak that forced about three dozen people from their homes for more than eight months, it was announced Friday. The Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources found the pipeline operator “failed to test, operate and/or maintain oilfield production facilities in accordance with good oil field practice” and it raised “significant potential for harm” to people and property. (Bedell and Cox, 1/19)
And on the challenges of regulating medical marijuana dispensaries -
The Bakersfield Californian:
Regulating Pot Shops A Game Of Whac-A-Mole
The number of medical marijuana dispensaries open in Bakersfield and unincorporated Kern County has ballooned to around 70 despite their longtime illegality, leaving officials scrambling to catch up. The problem is exacerbated by the nature of the businesses, which sometimes attract criminals who have robbed, tortured, threatened and killed employees. (Burger, 2/20)
New Union Deal Gets Sonoma County Employees More Health Care Contributions
In other local news, members of the Simi County Rotary Club recover from a kidney transplant operation, and a Yucca Valley girl gets a helicopter tour of the Inland Empire before succumbing to her cancer.
The Press Democrat:
Sonoma County Employees Secure Raises, Increased Health Benefits In New Deal
Sonoma County and the union representing more than half of its workforce have reached a tentative contract deal, ending a bargaining standoff that dragged out in public for months and spurred the first strike by county workers in more than three decades. Officials with the Service Employees’ International Union Local 1021 said its bargaining team and the county agreed on pay and benefit increases for 2,200 rank-and-file county employees around 3 a.m. Saturday. (Hart, 2/20)
The Ventura County Star:
Simi Rotarians Recovering From Kidney Transplant
He's walking an hour and a half a day, says he feels "awesome" and notes that doctors are pleased with his progress. Not bad for someone who got a new kidney a few weeks ago. (Doyle, 2/19)
The Sun:
Yucca Valley Girl Born With Genetic Condition Dies
The young Yucca Valley girl born with neurofibromatosis who recently went on a helicopter tour of the Inland Empire, lost her battle with cancer Friday morning. “Our Abigail Grace’s fight came to an end at 3:00 a.m. this morning,” according to a post on the Facebook page Cards for Abigail, which has been following 12-year-old Abigail Snipes’ medical journey. “Our hearts will never be the same, the comfort we take is we know she is with God our Father and no longer in pain.” (Valenzuela, 2/19)
Federal Medicaid Managed Care Rule Being Reviewed By OMB
News outlets report on the status of the proposed federal rule for Medicaid managed care, as well as other related national regulatory developments.
Modern Healthcare:
OMB Receives CMS Rules Overhauling Medicaid
The CMS has sent a sweeping finalized rule that will overhaul the managed Medicaid program to the Office of Management and Budget for review. The 653-page proposed version of the rule suggested the biggest changes in Medicaid managed-care regulations in more than a decade. It would cap insurer profits, require states to more rigorously supervise the adequacy of plans' provider networks, encourage states to establish quality rating systems for plans, allow more behavioral healthcare in institutional settings and encourage the growth of managed long-term care. (Dickson, 2/19)
Reuters:
Medicaid Premium Hikes May Leave Many Children Uninsured
Premium increases for Medicaid, the government health program for the poor, may leave many U.S. children uninsured, a new review suggests. Higher premiums for the national Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which also provides coverage to low-income kids, may have a similar result. (Rapaport, 2/19)
Reuters:
Excluding Transport From Medicaid Affects Poorest Patients
States that expand their Medicaid programs without covering non-emergency transportation for new enrollees could disadvantage the poorest patients, according to a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The report looked at Indiana and Iowa, which have already expanded Medicaid without providing non-emergency transportation, and Arizona, which has sought permission from the Department of Health and Human Services to do so. (2/19)
With Tax Season Comes New Health Law Tax Forms
USA Today offers consumer tips regarding the three new tax forms that were mandated by Obamacare.
USA Today:
Are You Prepared For New Obamacare Tax Forms?
For tax year 2015, millions of Americans will be getting a new tax form related to health care reform measures. Will you know what to do with yours when it arrives? The Affordable Health Care Act, colloquially known as “Obamacare,” mandated three new tax forms to be used as a kind of proof of insurance so taxpayers may avoid paying a penalty for failure to be covered. (Reeves, 2/19)
In other news consumers can use -
The Wall Street Journal:
Are HSAs The New 401(k)? Money Managers Hope So
An unexpected winner from rising health care costs? Wall Street. More Americans are setting aside money in health-savings accounts for medical bills that their company plans no longer cover. Money managers are eyeing this new pool of assets as an opportunity. HSAs are primarily offered by banks and act as checking account-like pools that preserve balances. As they grow, however, some savers are increasingly interested in investments beyond money market funds that could generate greater returns over time. This is a welcome opportunity for asset management firms at a time when they are seeing net 401(k) withdrawals for the first time. (Martin and Krouse, 2/19)
Donald Trump's Health Policy Plans Draw Scrutiny
Meanwhile, the GOP campaign trail became less crowded this weekend as Jeb Bush withdrew his bid to be the Republican nominee for president.
The New York Times:
Donald Trump In Triage Mode After Shocking Conservatives With Health Care Comments
He has broken with many Republicans on taxing the rich, threatening trade wars and keeping Planned Parenthood alive. On Friday, Donald J. Trump faced criticism for an even bolder act of conservative heresy: embracing the core tenet of the Affordable Care Act. Mr. Trump has to date offered only bits and pieces of his health agenda, generally presenting a vow to repeal “Obamacare” and replace it with “something great.” (Rappeport, 2/19)
Bloomberg:
Chart: Trump's Drug Savings Goal Is More Than Nation Spends
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's claim that he could save taxpayers $300 billion a year by negotiating with drugmakers may be wildly overstated, as his savings goal actually exceeds what the entire nation spent on prescription drugs in 2014 ($298 billion). Medicare drug spending in 2014 totaled $143 billion. Trump's claims are also at odds with the Congressional Budget Office, which says that government drug-price negotiation for Medicare, by itself, wouldn't impact the federal deficit. (Rye, 2/19)
Politico:
Jeb Bush Drops Out Of White House Race
Jeb Bush, unable to muster enthusiasm for his presidential bid beyond the family network that helped him raise a record sum exceeding $150 million, is suspending his campaign following a disappointing finish in South Carolina. The decision follows a string of underwhelming primary finishes for the former Florida governor, including in New Hampshire where he invested heavily and bet on a massive ground organization but still finished behind Donald Trump, John Kasich and Ted Cruz. (Stokols, 2/20)