Latest California Healthline Stories
New Tobacco Tax Bill Touches All Bases
A new bill introduced in the California Legislature yesterday proposes a new tax on cigarettes and electronic cigarettes to raise money for a variety of purposes including solving the managed care tax conundrum, funding regional centers and boosting some Medi-Cal provider rates.
Day Care Worker Vaccine Bill Approved
The proposal to require day care workers in Calfiornia to get measles, whooping cough and flu immunizations has passed both legislative houses and is about to head to the governor.
State Gets Grant To Curb Opioid Misuse
California is getting a $3.7 million federal grant to help prevent misuse of prescribed opioid medications.
State Begins To Collect Back Payments From Pharmacies Over Medi-Cal Cuts
After two years of limbo while courts heard lawsuits challenging it, the Medi-Cal provider rate reduction was resolved in the state’s favor. Now the state wants to retroactively recoup 10% of the money it paid out during those years.
New Bill Seeks Tax on Cocktails To Raise Money for Developmental Disabilities
Funding the community-based system for Californians with developmental disabilities is the focus of the 31st bill to be introduced in the special legislative session on health.
Special Session Bills Keep On Coming
The California Legislature’s special session on health was supposed to focus on replacing the managed care organization tax, but it has become fertile ground for dozens of other health-related bills.
Health Plan To Return to Local Control?
More than a year after the state took over the finances and operation of Alameda Alliance for Health, the local health plan is poised to take the reins itself.
Another Tobacco Bill Off to Governor
Major league baseball players will have to give up the chaw — at least while they’re playing games in California — if the governor signs a ban on smokeless tobacco passed yesterday by the California Legislature.
Committee OKs Vaccine Requirement for Day Care Workers; Floor Vote Next
A bill requiring people working with children in day care centers to be immunized against influenza, whooping cough and measles was approved by the Assembly Committee on Appropriations yesterday.
Rural Northern Counties Set To Launch Pilot Palliative Health Care Initiative
A new pilot program in four rural California counties will provide palliative care and services to Medicaid managed care patients through home visits and phone contact.