Pauline Bartolone

Pauline Bartolone was a Sacramento correspondent for KFF Health News until September 2018.

@pbartolone

As Treatable As Diabetes? Lawmakers Push New Ways To Stem Opioid Addiction

California lawmakers approved 14 measures to address the opioid crisis, including one that requires health plans to cover medication-based treatments for opioid addiction without requiring pre-authorization. Gov. Jerry Brown has until the end of September to approve or reject the proposals.

From Stethoscope To Gavel: Pediatrician At Center Of State’s Health Care Debates

State Sen. Richard Pan, a pediatrician who still sees patients once a week, is the new chairman of the Senate Health Committee. He takes this leadership role as he seeks re-election and as the state is battling federal cuts and preparing for a new governor.

Shortage Of Insurance Fraud Cops Sparks Campaign Debate

About a quarter of fraud investigator positions at the state Department of Insurance are open, and Steve Poizner has made the vacancies a focus of his campaign for insurance commissioner. His opponent, Ricardo Lara, says chasing criminals isn’t the only solution to rising health care costs.

California’s ACA Rates To Rise 8.7% Next Year

The average increase in California is smaller than the double-digit hikes expected around the nation, due largely to a healthier mix of enrollees and more competition in its marketplace. Still, health insurance prices keep growing faster than wages and general inflation.

Doctors And Dentists Welcome Pay Hike For Treating Low-Income Patients

California is boosting rates for doctors and dentists who participate in the state’s Medi-Cal program for low-income residents. Providers say the pay raises will increase their participation in the program and improve access for patients.

California Poised To Expand Access To Hepatitis C Drugs

New state rules and funding, which are pending approval from the governor, would make almost all Medi-Cal recipients with hepatitis C eligible for pricey, lifesaving medications, as long as they are at least 13 and have more than one year to live.

New Hospital Leader Fights Price Controls Despite Reputation As A Reformer

Carmela Coyle was known as an innovator when she led Maryland’s hospital association and supported a groundbreaking program that capped hospital revenue. But less than a year into her new job representing California’s hospitals in Sacramento, Coyle has already helped kill a proposal to regulate pricing.