Health Care Battles Focus on What’s Left Out of Budget, Not What’s in It
California’s fiscal year 2014-2015 budget includes small steps toward restoring large health care cuts made during the recession, but most of the big-ticket items are still on the shelf, stirring anger among advocates and legislators.
California May Be Pushed To Offer Autism Treatment as Medi-Cal Benefit
Autism advocates contend CMS approval of autism therapy as a Medicaid benefit in two states means California and all other states are required to offer the same benefit.
More Health Plans Ask To Join Obamacare. Surprise: They’re Run By Hospitals
In the latest sign of the industry’s changing dynamics, about a half-dozen insurance plans asking to join the Affordable Care Act’s health exchanges this fall are owned by hospitals.
No Warning Labels on Sugary Drinks; Assembly Committee Rejects Proposal
One of the high-profile health bills in Sacramento this year — a plan to put health risk warnings on the sides of soda cans and other sweetened drinks sold in California — passed the Senate but failed to get out of committee in the Assembly.
Bill To Diversify Exchange Rolls Along
A few weeks after passing a Senate floor vote, a proposal to expand the credentials and capabilities of the Covered California board of directors has been approved by the Assembly health committee.
Consumer Advocates Support California Bill Limiting Asset Seizure
California consumer advocates support a proposal in the state Legislature that would limit the assets the state can recoup from deceased Medi-Cal beneficiaries’ estates.
Health Issues Spur Debate Into Final Hours of Budget Negotiations
Debate over health care-related issues produced a high level of angst among California legislators in the final hours of budget discussions Sunday night.
Legislature Firms Up Budget Deal; Almost All Health Issues Go Wanting
The Legislature and governor said no to a raft of health care funding proposals — including Medi-Cal provider rates and autism as a Medi-Cal benefit — in a budget agreement being released today and put to a vote on Sunday.
New Consortium Promotes Efficiency in Working Toward Clinical Trials
The process leading to clinical trials for new drugs — often inefficient and prolonged — is receiving a makeover from a new consortium of California health centers and medical research institutions, the Partnership to Accelerate Clinical Trials — or PACT.
Appeals Court Reverses Lawsuit Ruling, Requires Mental Health Coverage
Insurers must provide a broad range of mental health coverage, according to a ruling from the state Court of Appeal that reversed a Superior Court decision.