Latest California Healthline Stories
Remember the Co-Ops? Overlooked Plan Raises Questions
Two years after lawmakers and activists battled over the fate of the public option, its erstwhile replacement — a plan to create health cooperatives — was finally unveiled last month.
The Afterlife of ‘Death Panels’ Still Haunts Health Reform
False accusations that the health reform law would spawn “death panels” continue to cause political problems. A renewed push to strike down the Independent Payment Advisory Board relies on similar claims of government rationing.
Four Rules and Regs Health Policy Experts Can’t Wait To Read
Health policy experts list the upcoming rules and regulations that have the potential to shape the industry, such as proposals to implement health reform provisions like state health insurance exchanges and accountable care organizations.
Why Nursing Homes Want To Waive Goodbye to Reform Law
Should health care workers get adequate health care — or should nursing homes be exempt from the health reform law? Long-term care providers test the boundaries.
Don Berwick Wants You To Judge the Quality, Not Quantity, of His Service
Much of the news coverage — and political debate — on the federal health care overhaul has focused on long-term changes to health coverage. Although CMS head Don Berwick’s full quality agenda has received less of the spotlight, his plans are intended to immediately affect millions while saving billions.
California’s Hospital Systems Try To Be Accountable
Three major California health systems are embarking on transformative changes ahead of the federal health law’s major payment reforms. Sutter Health, Sharp HealthCare and Scripps Health all are eyeing a range of new opportunities — and challenges — that lie ahead.
One Small Judicial Step, One Giant Leap for Mandate?
Concerns about the health reform law’s legality have coalesced around the controversial individual mandate. A Florida judge’s decision to void the entire law based on the mandate may accelerate plans to find a replacement provision.
When Health Repeal Was ‘Catastrophic’
Talk of rolling back the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is dominating the news, but this isn’t the first time that Congress has weighed suddenly overturning a major health law. Does the battle over the 1988 Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act — and its repeal 17 months later — hold any lessons for today?
And the State of Our Health Reform Is …
Did the State of the Union hold any surprises for health reform? The health care law was more than a bit player in President Obama’s address, but what unfolded on Tuesday night’s national stage paled next to what’s transpiring in Congress this week.
State of Contention as Officials Wrestle Over Reform Law
The health reform law has presented a significant challenge for many of the nation’s governors, who are struggling with scarce funding, election-year politics and new federal policies. In some states, officials are moving forward to comply with certain portions of the law as they also fight the overhaul in court.