Latest California Healthline Stories
California Hospital Group Proposes Ballot Initiative for Medi-Cal Provider Fee
The California Hospital Association wants a formula in place to assure that fees levied on hospitals will be used to fund children’s health care and access to care for low-income residents.
Governor Signs Physical Therapy Bill
A bill allowing California patients to seek treatment from a physical therapist without a physician’s referral was signed into law Monday.
Governor Agrees To Finish State Makeover of Long-Term Care Ombudsman’s Office
A new law will increase penalties on providers who interfere with investigations by the state’s long-term care ombudsman.
Mental Health Program Shows Success
Californians with mental illnesses who participate in county-run Full Service Partnership programs are more likely to move into independent living situations, according to a study published last week.
Some Exchange Provider Rates Up in Air
Covered California and other exchanges across the country opened their initial enrollment seasons this week — but an important detail of provider pay is still pending in some of them.
Pharmacist Scope-of-Practice Bill Now Law
Gov. Brown has signed SB 493 into law, giving pharmacists expanded responsibilities. The measure aims to address the growing burden on primary care providers.
Exchange Opens for Business, Officials Call It a Bridge to Health Care for Millions
Health care reform officially hit California, as the health benefit exchange opened its initial enrollment season with a huge wave of interest from Californians and a bit of fanfare.
Tech Leaders Target the Underserved
At the annual Health 2.0 Conference in Santa Clara yesterday, experts outlined how technology might be used to improve access to health care for minorities and underserved populations in California.
The fanfare in Sacramento will be loud and long this week for the opening of the Covered California health benefit exchange. Events are planned statewide.
DHCS Director Apologizes at Hearing Examining Medi-Cal Drug Program Fraud
State health officials at the Department of Health Care Services addressed concerns about alleged fraud in a Medi-Cal drug abuse treatment program at a hearing in Sacramento yesterday.