Bill Curbing Narrow Networks Opposed
A bill restricting California insurers’ use of narrow provider networks faces opposition as it moves toward a floor vote in the Assembly.
Price of Passage High for Optometrist Bill
A Senate bill to expand the scope of practice for optometrists was reduced to a shadow of its former proposal — but it did pass committee and will be up for a floor vote.
Hospital Sale Bill Fails on Assembly Floor
A bill to expand the state attorney general’s power to change the terms of some hospital sales could not muster enough support in the Assembly to advance.
Cascade of Bills Out of Appropriations; Many Due for Floor Votes This Week
Hundreds of bills, including dozens of proposals on health-related legislation, were released from the Assembly and Senate appropriations committees’ suspense files last week.
Assembly Health Committee Chair Rips DHCS for Lack of Cooperation, Poor Care
Assembly Committee on Health Chair Richard Pan chastised the state Department of Health Care Services in a hearing yesterday, saying he has been “disappointed and frustrated” in his interactions with the department over the past two years.
Sonoma Center Appeals Decertification
Sonoma Developmental Center officials filed a formal appeal with the California Department of Public Health over the state agency’s decertification of the center’s intermediate care facilities.
Public Health Information Portal Opens
The state Department of Public Health launched a new online data portal last week so that other public agencies and private innovators can create and design new applications for public use.
Advocates, State Officials Wrangle Over California’s Medi-Cal Renewal Backlog
Consumer advocates are asking for federal intervention to help with California’s unprocessed Medi-Cal applications. The state hopes to have the backlog reduced to about 350,000 by the end of the month.
State: Autism Therapy a Medi-Cal Benefit
State health officials announced yesterday that they plan to cover autism therapy for Medi-Cal children, with possible retroactive coverage and full implementation likely by the start of 2015.
Amputation Rate 10 Times Higher for Poor Patients, UCLA Study Finds
UCLA researchers say low-income individuals with diabetes in California are at much greater risk to have limbs amputated than wealthier people with same disease.