Latest California Healthline Stories
Tobacco Bills Headed for Senate Floor
A half dozen tobacco bills — including legislation to regulate electronic cigarettes and raise the legal smoking age to 21 — passed the state Senate appropriations committee and are headed for a floor vote.
Federal Court Sides With Home Workers
California got the green light to implement an overtime pay requirement for home health workers, possibly in the fall. However, that light turns yellow if the case is appealed to the Supreme Court.
Republicans Balk at Revised MCO Tax
A hearing this week during the California Legislature’s special session on health care laid out the challenges of crafting a revision of the managed care organization tax that would be fair to everyone. Republicans raised the “no new taxes” flag.
Exchange Ponders Adult Vision Benefit
Covered California is considering adding adult vision benefits to insurance coverage sold through the exchange.
Governor Signs Bill Allowing Mid-Level Practitioners To OK Resuscitative Edicts
California physician assistants and nurse practitioners can approve patient wishes regarding resuscitative measures under legislation approved yesterday by the governor.
Feds OK State’s Drug Medi-Cal Waiver
Federal health officials gave the green light to California’s plan to revamp and better coordinate physical and mental health services delivered in Medi-Cal.
Effort Ramps Up To Establish MCO Flat Tax as Legislature Reconvenes
As the Legislature heads back to work today, replacing the vanishing tax on managed care organizations is the centerpiece of the special session on health care spending. One legislator suggests a flat tax.
State Wants Public Health Innovations
Health officials issued an “innovation challenge” to drum up new ideas and fresh community health approaches.
Advocates, CMS Warn Providers About Continuing Medicare ‘Balance Billing’
A CMS report says low-income seniors and those with disabilities often are billed for copayments, deductibles and other forms of shared payments, which is against the law.
Hearing Targets Foster Kids’ Medication
Foster children are prescribed psychotropic medications at a higher rate than other kids, and lawmakers convened to find out what’s being done about it.