Stakeholders Assess Delayed Duals Project
California’s duals demonstration project to coordinate care for those eligible for Medicare and Medi-Cal has been delayed until April.
Assembly Approves Biosimilars Bill
The Assembly yesterday approved a bill to establish pharmacy ground rules for biosimilar medications — when they eventually do come to market.
$9 Million Grant for Consumer Outreach
The state’s consumer outreach effort got a boost last week with the announcement of more than $9 million in grant money to help Californians navigate new health insurance options.
Exchange Accelerating Toward Deadline
From securing a lease for a Fresno call center to submitting its bridge proposal to HHS, it’s a busy time for Covered California as the new health benefit exchange closes in on an Oct. 1 opening date.
Contested Biosimilars Bill Clears Committee
A bill to regulate a new kind of biologic medication cleared a big legislative hurdle yesterday, setting the stage for the last showdown on the Assembly floor over a surprisingly controversial measure.
Hospital Fee Is One Step Closer to Law
An Assembly committee unanimously approved a plan to levy a fee on California hospitals and use the money to draw down additional federal funding for hospitals and the state.
UC-Riverside Medical School Bill Approved
The Assembly yesterday approved a measure to urge the state’s new medical school in Riverside to use part of its recent $15 million allocation from the state to steer students to a physician-retention program.
State Outlines Plan To Transition Low-Income Health Program to Medi-Cal
A conference in Sacramento last week laid the groundwork for the state to move about 600,000 Californians from the Low Income Health Program to Medi-Cal next year.
Process Begins for Medi-Cal Provider Cuts
Plans were announced this week for a phased implementation of a 10% cut in Medi-Cal providers’ reimbursement. The first phase begins Sept. 5.
Amended Mid-Level Provider Bills OK’d
An Assembly committee approved two bills designed to expand the amount of work that can be done by pharmacists, physician assistants and nurse practitioners.