Latest California Healthline Stories
Douglas Resigns as DHCS Director
After three controversy-filled years as director of the state Department of Health Care Services, Toby Douglas announced his resignation today.
How Jail Survey Affects Health Care
The expansion of the Medi-Cal program will be keenly felt by Californians in county jails or on probation, many of whom have not had access to coverage before. One researcher said the transitional time for inmates is a perfect opportunity to gain coverage.
Lawsuit Settlement Spells End of Insurers’ HIV Drugs-by-Mail Mandate
Patients in the United Healthcare system now may opt out of receiving medications through mail-order service if they have privacy, communication or delivery concerns.
Intervenor Role Now Politically Charged
The latest volley in the war over Proposition 45, the November ballot initiative to regulate health insurance rate hikes, is over intervenors who play an obscure role in the state’s process for overseeing insurance.
UC-Davis Study: Pre-Toddler Treatment Shortens Autism Therapy Significantly
Children as young as six months old who received autism therapy showed significant response to it, according to a small pilot program at the UC-Davis MIND Institute.
Autism Details To Come After Rollout
State officials and stakeholders met for the first time to iron out some of the details in implementing the new Medi-Cal benefit for autism therapy. Clearly it will be a work in progress.
Pilot Program Targets Senior Nutrition
It may not be just children who need the most important meal of the day. A new pilot program is studying the health effects of breakfast meals on seniors.
New Lawsuit Filed To Block Duals Plan
After losing in Superior Court, health advocates for seniors have upped the ante, filing a lawsuit in federal district court to try to halt further implementation of the state’s duals demonstration project.
Medi-Cal Autism Coverage To Start Soon
Medi-Cal families with autistic children will be able to arrange for applied behavior analysis treatment later this month. Sept. 15 is the tentative start date for California’s new coverage policies.
Flurry of Bills Approved as Session Ends
The state Legislature passed a flurry of bills in its final week of session, including a virtual dental home pilot project and paid sick leave for California workers, but excluding home health workers.