Latest California Healthline Stories
Antitrust Suit Against Sutter May Shine Light On Hospitals’ Closely Held Contracts With Insurers
The contracts and details about what hospitals pay to insurers have traditionally been highly confidential. Attorneys defending Sutter from the state’s suit, however, have subpoenaed 50 other California hospitals, where officials are bristling at the idea of revealing such coveted information.
Confused About Prop. 8, The Dialysis Clinic Ballot Measure? You’re Not Alone
Capital Public Radio lays out what it’s all about and why an initiative to cap what clinics can spend on overhead and administrative costs versus actual care has become so contentious. Meanwhile, a look at search trends in California’s swing districts reveals just how much voters care about health care.
Open Enrollment For Covered California Kicks Off For First Year Without Individual Mandate Penalty
Covered California officials have predicted there will be a 12 percent drop-off in enrollment because of the change. Media outlets take a look at what you need to know about the open enrollment season.
A selection of opinions on health care developments from around the state.
Trump Administration Opened Door To Step Therapy And Insurance Giant Plans To Rush In
Step therapy allows insurers to require patients to try cheaper drugs first and see if they fail before moving on to more expensive ones. UnitedHealth has decided to require the method, which is supported by the Trump administration.
While Trump officials take credit for the dip in premiums, others warn that the numbers are just a small snapshot of the marketplaces and say that rates would have dropped more if not for some of the actions taken by the administration.
Typhus Outbreak Raises Questions About Whether Enough Is Being Done To Protect Health Of Homeless
“The sidewalks weren’t ever intended for habitation, our storm drains were never intended for human waste, and rats [are] crawling all over people,” said Estela Lopez, executive director of the L.A. Downtown Industrial Business Improvement District. “This is unimaginable, that in such an advanced society we would be facing this problem.”
The allegations by Dr. Michael Golding include claims that the frequency with which inmates are treated by psychiatrists and receive their medications is not being reported truthfully. U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller’s court in Sacramento wants to hear from Golding in testimony later this month before deciding how to proceed further over his allegations.
AFSCME employees are compensated at or above market wages, sometimes as much as 17 percent higher than prevailing wages for workers in the same occupations, UC leaders said. But the union’s vice president said the University’s efforts to outsource jobs to contracting companies that pay workers less with little to no benefits is driving inequality in the workplace.
Prop 8.: A Look At One Of The Most Contentious And Expensive Ballot Fights This Year
Proposition 8 would limit dialysis clinics’ revenue to 15 percent more than the cost of staff, medical supplies, facilities and information systems.