David Gorn

David Gorn was a Sacramento correspondent for KFF Health News until 2016.

@dgornreports

New Lawsuit Filed To Block Duals Plan

After losing in Superior Court, health advocates for seniors have upped the ante, filing a lawsuit in federal district court to try to halt further implementation of the state’s duals demonstration project.

Medi-Cal Autism Coverage To Start Soon

Medi-Cal families with autistic children will be able to arrange for applied behavior analysis treatment later this month. Sept. 15 is the tentative start date for California’s new coverage policies.

Flurry of Bills Approved as Session Ends

The state Legislature passed a flurry of bills in its final week of session, including a virtual dental home pilot project and paid sick leave for California workers, but excluding home health workers.

Bill Linking Health Enrollment to Schools OK’d by Legislature, Sent to Governor

Many uninsured Californians are eligible for Medi-Cal coverage or subsidies through the state health insurance exchange but are unaware of it. A bill sent to the governor aims to reduce that number by linking health care information to school enrollment.

Calif. Senate OKs Diabetes Action Plan

The state Senate passed a bill calling for state officials to create a diabetes assessment and action plan that could lay the groundwork for future legislation by establishing the disease’s cost to the state.

Legislature Backs Bill Pushing State To Accept $6 Million Medi-Cal Grant

This week, the Assembly passed a bill to require the state to accept a $6 million grant to help Medi-Cal enrollees renew their benefits. The author of the bill says the state’s rejection of the California Endowment grant stems from the Department of Finance wanting to limit Medi-Cal renewals to cut costs.