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.
Bill Requiring Paid Sick Leave Headed for Floor Vote in Senate
State legislators will decide in the next couple weeks whether California should follow Connecticut’s lead and become the second state to require employers to provide paid sick leave for workers.
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.
Can the ACA Solve Staggering Prescription Drug Prices?
Many Americans believe the ACA should act as a salve for all things that ail the nation’s health care system. In light of the ongoing debate over the high cost of Gilead’s new hepatitis C treatment, what is the law doing to hold down prescription drug prices?
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.
UC Program Aims To Increase Number of Health Care Professionals in Central Valley
San Joaquin Valley PRIME, one of six University of California programs recruiting medical students committed to working with underserved populations, focuses on boosting the number of Central Valley physicians.
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.
Unions Oppose Bid by Health Care Chain
Prime Healthcare’s possible purchase of six not-for-profit hospitals in California has drawn opposition from labor unions that warn for-profit Prime may cut worker benefits and shred safety-net services. Prime officials would neither confirm nor deny negotiations are under way.
Autism Community Welcomes Coverage
Questions remain about provider rates and other details of coverage, but overall the autism community in California couldn’t be happier with state officials’ plan to cover autism care for Medi-Cal beneficiaries, likely by the end of the year and retroactive to July 1.