Latest California Healthline Stories
Medical Home Model Gains Traction on North Coast
The idea of a “medical home” to make primary care work better for patients, physicians and insurers is gaining a foothold on the North Coast, but many say California as a whole is behind the curve nationally.
California Dental Care Crisis Could Get Worse With Budget
California has the second-lowest ranking for children’s oral health care in the nation, according to the National Survey of Children’s Health. Pre-schoolers have rotten teeth, oral infections and metal caps — and if proposed budget cuts go through, it could get worse.
How Small Businesses Can Make Most of Health Care Reform
We asked small business experts and insurers to share insights about how California small businesses can make the most of health care reform while dealing with new administrative burdens it brings.
San Diego Biotech Gets Boost From Reform Tax Credit
San Diego, a national hub for biotechnology, has seen a flurry of activity as companies prepare to apply for a new tax credit included the health care reform package that will provide $1 billion to small biotech and life sciences companies.
Close Vote, Heated Talk on Physician Employment in Assembly
Should hospitals or health districts be allowed to directly employ physicians? The charged issue crosses party lines, and the Assembly’s recent floor vote showed just how divided it is.
ARRA Projects Move Ahead for Health IT, Broadband
Although health care reform has moved into the national spotlight, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 continues to develop health care-related projects and grant programs. This update summarizes significant developments over the past few months.
Why Small Businesses Aren’t Embracing Reform
The health reform law was supposed to help small businesses. So why have some turned against it?
Alternative Providers Could Help Bridge Gap in Primary Care
Physician assistants and nurse practitioners could help California deal with the dramatic rise in primary care patients expected when federal health care reform kicks in. A new bill in the state Senate outlines greater PA responsibilities and reflects increasing reliance on “alternative” providers.
California Gears Up for Reform Provisions Taking Effect This Year
More than a month after President Obama signed health reform into law, California lawmakers, health providers, insurers and patients are gearing up for the slew of provisions set to take effect this year.
Expert Touts Need for Quality Reporting To Produce Data for Patients, Not Just Practitioners
R. Adams Dudley, a professor of medicine and health policy at UC-San Francisco, shared his thoughts about health care quality reporting initiatives and strategies for improving these efforts.