California Healthline

A Commonwealth Fund survey finds that 39 states have not enacted laws to enforce consumer protection rules under the Affordable Care Act. According to the survey, California has passed bills addressing six of the seven consumer protections. Los Angeles Times et al.

An Institute of Medicine official says that the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine's plan for reducing conflicts of interest falls short of IOM recommendations. IOM said CIRM should change the makeup of its board through legislative action or a ballot measure. Sacramento Bee.

Reduced dental coverage among California adults has caused many to seek treatment for dental issues at hospital emergency departments. However, many EDs do not staff dentists, and emergency physicians are limited in their ability to treat dental issues. San Francisco Chronicle.

CMS has announced that more than 450 organizations will participate in its bundled payments initiative, which aims to test whether paying a lump sum to multiple providers for a single episode of care can reduce costs and improve quality. Modern Healthcare et al.

Saint Agnes Medical Center officials say that the hospital is laying off 75 workers in response to fewer patients and changes in reimbursements, among other factors. John Muir Health officials say the health system has agreed to purchase a 49% stake in San Ramon Regional Medical Center.

A Public Policy Institute of California poll finds that 55% of state residents support the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, the poll finds that 69% of residents support Gov. Brown's new budget plan, while 51% approve of his work as governor. HealthyCal et al.

The Legislative Analyst's Office says that California likely will collect $5 billion more in January income tax revenue than originally expected. Some legislative Democrats say the state should use extra revenue to increase health program spending. Sacramento Bee's "Capitol Alert."

Patients and insurers say that outpatient surgery centers in California and across the U.S. are billing insurers exorbitant amounts for out-of-network care. The centers argue that the criticisms are unjustified and that they help reduce health care costs. Los Angeles Times.

The Obama administration has released proposed rules describing how the government plans to levy penalties for noncompliance with the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate. The proposed rules include exemptions from the mandate for several groups. The Hill's "Healthwatch" et al.

Many unions that supported the Affordable Care Act now are concerned that the law could increase their health insurance costs and make their workers less competitive. The groups want lower-paid union members to be eligible for federal insurance subsidies. Wall Street Journal.

At a legislative hearing, a state Department of Justice official said that staff shortages and funding cuts have delayed efforts to seize the firearms of nearly 20,000 felons and people with mental illnesses. Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee.

Three federal judges have given California six additional months to comply with an order to reduce prison overcrowding. State officials, who argue that the state has improved inmate health care, are seeking the elimination of the prison population cap. San Jose Mercury News et al.

A report finds that Kaiser Permanente in 2011 had the largest share of California's employer and individual health insurance market. Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Health Net and UnitedHealth Group also had large market shares. Los Angeles Times.

Under President Obama's new immigration reform plan, many undocumented immigrants would be granted "provisional" or "probationary" status. However, such immigrants still would be unable to obtain health benefits under the Affordable Care Act. Modern Healthcare et al.

In a letter to the Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service, House Republican leaders demanded that the agencies release details about how they are implementing the Affordable Care Act's health insurance exchanges and subsidies. The Hill's "Healthwatch," Roll Call.