Latest California Healthline Stories
Bill Linking Health Enrollment to Schools OK’d by Legislature, Sent to Governor
Many uninsured Californians are eligible for Medi-Cal coverage or subsidies through the state health insurance exchange but are unaware of it. A bill sent to the governor aims to reduce that number by linking health care information to school enrollment.
Narrow Networks Bill Passes Floor Vote
Legislation designed to open access to providers and ensure network adequacy passed an important vote in the Assembly and now is expected to move to the governor’s desk.
Calif. Senate OKs Diabetes Action Plan
The state Senate passed a bill calling for state officials to create a diabetes assessment and action plan that could lay the groundwork for future legislation by establishing the disease’s cost to the state.
Judicial Ruling on East Bay Hospital’s Closure Complicated by Patient’s Death
The fate of Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo — and the people served by it — could be decided in an upcoming Superior Court ruling.
Bill Linking CalFresh to Medi-Cal Eligibility Set To Head to Governor
A Senate committee and Assembly floor vote last week put red bows of approval on a legislative package to share eligibility determination between CalFresh and Medi-Cal beneficiaries.
Legislature Backs Bill Pushing State To Accept $6 Million Medi-Cal Grant
This week, the Assembly passed a bill to require the state to accept a $6 million grant to help Medi-Cal enrollees renew their benefits. The author of the bill says the state’s rejection of the California Endowment grant stems from the Department of Finance wanting to limit Medi-Cal renewals to cut costs.
Bill Curbing Narrow Networks Opposed
A bill restricting California insurers’ use of narrow provider networks faces opposition as it moves toward a floor vote in the Assembly.
Price of Passage High for Optometrist Bill
A Senate bill to expand the scope of practice for optometrists was reduced to a shadow of its former proposal — but it did pass committee and will be up for a floor vote.
Hospital Sale Bill Fails on Assembly Floor
A bill to expand the state attorney general’s power to change the terms of some hospital sales could not muster enough support in the Assembly to advance.
Cascade of Bills Out of Appropriations; Many Due for Floor Votes This Week
Hundreds of bills, including dozens of proposals on health-related legislation, were released from the Assembly and Senate appropriations committees’ suspense files last week.