Marijuana Policy Winds Shifting in California
As public sentiment moves toward legalizing marijuana, California lawmakers are considering new statewide regulations for medical marijuana — nearly two decades after California became the first state to authorize its use.
Access, Monitoring Raised as Issues for Denti-Cal Restoration Starting May 1
The Department of Health Care Services is ramping up for the partial restoration in May of adult dental services for Medi-Cal beneficiaries, but concerns were raised at a state Senate budget hearing about the department’s monitoring efforts.
A Few Questions Linger as California Prepares To Eliminate MRMIB Programs
From oversight issues to changing the name of the Access for Infants and Mothers program, a number of caveats arose during the budget elimination of a longtime state agency.
Drug Take-Back Bill Faces Opposition
A new bill in the California Legislature would require drug makers to create, finance and manage a statewide system for collecting and disposing of leftover prescription and over-the-counter drugs. The pharmaceutical industry and other business interests are lining up in opposition.
‘Promise, Peril’ of Dual Eligible Demonstration Project Studied
UCLA researchers have been studying the frail and elderly population affected by the state’s upcoming duals demonstration project. In a briefing yesterday, researchers addressed the question: “Promise or Peril?”
The Undecided: A Closer Look at the Decision To Enroll
Health insurance holdouts are making it hard for the Obama administration to reach its enrollment goals for the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges. What factors are driving the uninsured’s decision-making process?
New Ads Highlight Residually Uninsured
A new media campaign is aimed at making the public aware of as many as three million Californians who will be without health insurance despite reform successes of Medi-Cal expansion and Covered California enrollment.
Covered California Tops One Million, Now Sets Sights on Doubling Base Estimate
After hitting the million mark, Covered California officials are now setting their sights on doubling the base estimate of enrollees for its first six months.
Autism Treatment at Crossroads, From Medi-Cal Coverage to New Guidelines
One type of autism therapy considered the standard of care is not covered by Medi-Cal — but that could change in the upcoming budget battle. Meanwhile, a new subset of autism may be a flashpoint in the ongoing fight to get insurers to cover treatment.
Lawmaker Pushes for Restoration of State Funds for Senior Services
Funding for the Older Californians Act has been cut from previous California budgets but this year it’s time to restore money to the wide-ranging program, according to one Assembly member.