05/21/2012
On Friday, California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones and Consumer Watchdog officials submitted to state officials 800,000 voter signatures for a proposed ballot measure that would give the state greater regulatory authority over health insurance rates. At least 504,760 valid signatures are necessary to qualify the measure for the November ballot. A coalition of hospitals, physicians and other stakeholders oppose the measure. Sacramento Bee et al.
05/17/2012
Yesterday, HHS said states have until Nov. 16 to submit plans for operating health insurance exchanges under the federal health reform law. HHS also released guidance on how it will facilitate exchanges for states that opt not to administer their own marketplaces. Reuters et al.
05/16/2012
If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns the federal health reform law, health insurers stand to lose nearly $1 trillion in new revenue and nearly $174 billion in profits between 2013 and 2020, according to a recent report by Bloomberg Government. The Hill's "Healthwatch" et al.
05/15/2012
Tomorrow, a Senate panel is scheduled to mark up legislation that would extend certain health benefits to domestic partners of gay and lesbian federal employees. Meanwhile, more companies are offering health benefits to workers' domestic partners. Washington Times et al.
05/15/2012
On Friday, Kaiser Permanente and the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions -- which represents nearly 100,000 Kaiser workers -- announced a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract. The contract includes annual wage increases of 3% for California workers and 2% for workers in all other regions. The tentative deal maintains health care, pensions and retiree benefits and improves dental care, according to the announcement. If the local unions ratify the deal, it would take effect Oct. 1. San Francisco Business Times.
05/14/2012
A new final rule requires health insurers to inform consumers that their premium rebates are a result of the federal health reform law. The requirement is seen as part of an attempt by the Obama administration to boost the law's popularity. Wall Street Journal, Time's "The Page."
05/14/2012
On Friday, Kaiser Foundation Hospital, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and their subsidiaries reported a net income of $770 million in the first quarter of 2012, down 16% from $921 million in Q1 2011. Kaiser noted that capital spending increased from $623 million in Q1 2011 to $861 million in Q1 2012 because of investments in technology and hospital construction projects to comply with the state's seismic standards. Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Business Times.
05/14/2012
Several Republican governors and state lawmakers are not taking steps to implement health insurance exchanges required by the health reform law. Some lawmakers say they are awaiting the Supreme Court's decision on the overhaul before moving forward. Washington Post et al.
05/10/2012
As more patients begin using costly "specialty" drugs, many employer-based insurance plans could begin to offer new ways to manage the high cost of the medications. One strategy that employers might use is value-based insurance design, which ties employees' costs to the value of medical services, making treatments that are seen as providing important clinical benefits less costly to workers. Kaiser Health News/Washington Post.
05/10/2012
On Tuesday, Cal-Optima Vice Chair James McAleer, CEO of the Alzheimer's Association of Orange County, announced his resignation as investigations continue into allegations of improper dealings by Edward Kacic, then-chair of CalOptima's board. CalOptima is Orange County's Medi-Cal managed care plan. During a meeting following McAleer's announcement, the board voted 6-3 to remove Kacic as chair of the board and named Orange County Health Agency Director Mark Refowitz as interim chair. Payers & Providers.
05/09/2012
A report published Monday in the journal Health Affairs recommends that states follow Massachusetts' example and limit the number of health plans consumers can choose from in state health insurance exchanges required under the federal health reform law. Authors of the report say that consumers prefer choosing from a few carefully vetted and clearly explained health plan options. The Hill's "Healthwatch."
05/04/2012
Insurer Health Net has expanded its low-cost HMO SmartCare into Orange County one year after it launched the plan in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and San Diego counties. The plan provides a 25% discount on premiums compared with a full insurance network. Health Net has contracted with nine health care provider groups in Orange County. Payers & Providers.
05/03/2012
In Los Angeles, a community clinic and a restaurant workers group have launched a cooperative to offer health coverage to undocumented residents working in restaurants. The program is believed to be the first of its kind in the U.S. Los Angeles Times.
05/01/2012
On Monday, Consumer Watchdog reported $1.5 million in contributions, including donations from several high-profile business leaders, for a proposed ballot measure that would give the California Department of Insurance greater regulation of health insurance rates. A group of insurers, hospitals, doctors and business groups who oppose the proposal has reported $367,200 in donations. Los Angeles Times.
05/01/2012
San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and 27 city public employee unions are locked in contract negotiations that would affect about 21,000 workers. Service Employees International Union Local 1021, San Francisco's largest union, wants the taxes on businesses to be raised to help keep city workers' wages and health care benefits at 2011-2012 levels. San Francisco Chronicle.