Monthly Archives: August 2011
Update on the Medi-Cal Payment Lawsuit
| August 8, 2011 | Posted by Kandis Driscoll under Blog |
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Friday, August 5th, was the last day to file amicus briefs for the Maxwell-Jolly v. Independent Living Center of Southern California case. The case will determine whether individuals have the right to sue government agencies and officials over cuts to Medicaid. Plaintiffs of the case, which also include the California… more
Controlling health care costs ‘most important’ for solving the nation’s debt problems
| August 8, 2011 | Posted by Mike Sloyan under Blog |
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The ‘most difficult and most important’ step in solving the nation’s debt problems lies in controlling rising health care costs, according to USA Today‘s Editorial Board. This one-line bomb is tucked away deep in the editorial article written in the wake of Standard & Poor’s downgrade of the US credit… more
Save the Date – ITUP’s 2012 Conference
| August 8, 2011 | Posted by Mike Sloyan under Special Features |
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The 16th Annual Statewide Conference, California’s March to 2014, will take place February 7, 2012 at the Sacramento Convention Center. As usual, we will host an Awards and Networking Dinner the evening before so mark your calendars. Details are forthcoming… more
The Exchange and Public Programs Report
| August 7, 2011 | Posted by Kiwon Yoo under Insurance Exchange, Program Simplification, Public Coverage |
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This working draft outlines public programs for adults, possible integration with the Exchange, and their future in a post-reform world.Programs covered include: the Medi-Cal program (including the Medically Needy and Pregnancy/Perinatal Care programs), county health programs, the §1115 Waiver, the Basic Health Plan, MRMIP and PCIP, Access for Infants and… more
eConsulting in LA County
| August 5, 2011 | Posted by Ashley Cohen under Blog |
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LA Care recently announced the investment of $1.5M into an “eConsult” system for 47 LA County safety net sites. The eConsult system will allow primary care doctors to access advice from specialty doctors in order to reduce the need for specialty referrals. A 2009 pilot program found a more than… more
Snapshot of the Medi-Cal Newly Eligibiles
| August 4, 2011 | Posted by Ashley Cohen under Blog |
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A new publication from the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) gives us a snapshot of the low-income individuals who will qualify for Medi-Cal in 2014. Age and Health Status Data from population survey data finds that within this population: 60% are under age 40 and no less healthy than… more
SHOP Exchanges: Let’s Talk About Choice, Baby
| August 3, 2011 | Posted by ITUP under Blog |
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[The following post was written by Micah Weinberg, Senior Policy Advisor for the Bay Area Council.] Today the Pacific Business Group on Health (PBGH) issued a paper I wrote with Bill Kramer which reviewed the “lessons” from California’s experience for those setting up the new small employer (SHOP) exchanges in… more
MRMIB Receives Approval to Lower PCIP Premiums
| August 2, 2011 | Posted by Ashley Cohen under Blog |
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MRMIB just announced that they received federal approval to lower premiums for subscribers of California’s pre-existing condition insurance plan (PCIP). Monthly subscriber premiums will be reduced by an average of 18% across all age groups (between 8.2% to 24.3%, depending on age and geographic region). New rates take effect October… more
HHS Releases FOA for CO-OPs
| August 1, 2011 | Posted by Christina Vane under Blog |
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Consumer Operated and Oriented Plans (CO-OPs) are private non-profit, consumer-governed health plans that will help increase choice for consumers and small businesses participating in Insurance Exchanges starting in 2014. CO-OPs are designed to empower consumers and small businesses to take control of their own health insurance since they will be… more
