New Law To Shorten Medi-Cal Application Process for Community Clinic Startups
Primary care clinics that want to take Medi-Cal patients won’t have to wait as long to get started, under a bill just signed by the governor.
Governor Overrules DHCS, Signs Law Creating Children’s Advisory Panel
The Department of Health Care Services may not want it, but the governor has agreed to order the creation of the Medi-Cal Children’s Health Advisory Panel.
Public Health Department Lifts Vendor Moratorium for WIC Food Program
Rising food costs became a major concern in the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program, so state officials cut back on the number of stores participating in an effort to better control costs. Now they’re slowly bringing some grocery vendors back into the program.
Exchange Plans Ad, Outreach Campaign
The second open enrollment period for Covered California is two months away and exchange officials want to make sure people in California know about it — to the tune of $94 million.
Douglas Lauded as ‘Inspired Leader’ After Announcing DHCS Retirement
The surprise resignation of Toby Douglas as director of the Department of Health Care Services will leave a big hole in the department, according to state officials.
How Jail Survey Affects Health Care
The expansion of the Medi-Cal program will be keenly felt by Californians in county jails or on probation, many of whom have not had access to coverage before. One researcher said the transitional time for inmates is a perfect opportunity to gain coverage.
Lawsuit Settlement Spells End of Insurers’ HIV Drugs-by-Mail Mandate
Patients in the United Healthcare system now may opt out of receiving medications through mail-order service if they have privacy, communication or delivery concerns.
Intervenor Role Now Politically Charged
The latest volley in the war over Proposition 45, the November ballot initiative to regulate health insurance rate hikes, is over intervenors who play an obscure role in the state’s process for overseeing insurance.
UC-Davis Study: Pre-Toddler Treatment Shortens Autism Therapy Significantly
Children as young as six months old who received autism therapy showed significant response to it, according to a small pilot program at the UC-Davis MIND Institute.
Autism Details To Come After Rollout
State officials and stakeholders met for the first time to iron out some of the details in implementing the new Medi-Cal benefit for autism therapy. Clearly it will be a work in progress.