Latest California Healthline Stories
Report: State Exchange Could Do More for Asian/Pacific Islander Population
Covered California had strong enrollment numbers in some parts of the Asian community, but it still has a long way to go in terms of outreach efforts to other Asian groups and Pacific Islander communities, according to a new report.
Data, Oversight Cited as Central Needs To Improve State’s Mental Health Services
Ten years after California voters passed Proposition 63 and created the Mental Health Services Act, the Little Hoover Commission is looking at how well that act is working and what still needs to be done to make it better.
Medi-Cal Application Backlog Will Be ‘Down Significantly’ Within Six Weeks
Toby Douglas, director of the state Department of Health Care Services, answered a range of Medi-Cal questions at an Assembly hearing yesterday, including when the current backlog of a quarter-million eligibility applications will be processed.
Governor Signs Telehealth Streamlining
A number of health care bills became law with the governor’s signature, including a telehealth measure and a ban on smoking in family day care homes.
UC-Davis Study Links Autism to Low Iron Intake in Some Mothers
Mothers over age 35 or those with metabolic conditions, such as obesity and hypertension, who had low iron intake during pregnancy and immediately following birth were five times more likely to have a child with autism spectrum disorder, according to a new UC-Davis study.
New Law To Shorten Medi-Cal Application Process for Community Clinic Startups
Primary care clinics that want to take Medi-Cal patients won’t have to wait as long to get started, under a bill just signed by the governor.
Governor Overrules DHCS, Signs Law Creating Children’s Advisory Panel
The Department of Health Care Services may not want it, but the governor has agreed to order the creation of the Medi-Cal Children’s Health Advisory Panel.
Public Health Department Lifts Vendor Moratorium for WIC Food Program
Rising food costs became a major concern in the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program, so state officials cut back on the number of stores participating in an effort to better control costs. Now they’re slowly bringing some grocery vendors back into the program.
Exchange Plans Ad, Outreach Campaign
The second open enrollment period for Covered California is two months away and exchange officials want to make sure people in California know about it — to the tune of $94 million.
Douglas Lauded as ‘Inspired Leader’ After Announcing DHCS Retirement
The surprise resignation of Toby Douglas as director of the Department of Health Care Services will leave a big hole in the department, according to state officials.