Latest California Healthline Stories
Senate Approves Soda Warning Bill
Legislation to require a health-risk warning label on soda and other sugary drinks sold in California passed a floor vote yesterday in the state Senate.
Podiatry Gets Vote as Medi-Cal Benefit
The California Assembly yesterday unanimously approved a bill to reinstate podiatric services as a Medi-Cal benefit.
Soda Warning Bill Passes Committee; Plan To Insure Undocumented Does Not
A bill to provide health coverage to the state’s undocumented population stalled in committee last week, but another high-profile health bill seeking warning labels on sweetened beverages advanced.
Almost One-Third of Hospital Patients in California Have Diabetes, Study Says
The dramatic rise in diabetes translates into a $1.6 billion annual hospitalization cost in California, according to a new UCLA study.
Pilot Program at Oakland Hospital Cuts HIV/AIDS Readmissions Almost in Half
The medical home model has shown strong results in Alameda County’s pilot HIV/AIDS program, including a 44% decline in readmissions at Highland Hospital in Oakland.
Advocates Claim Civil Rights Violations of Chronically Ill From Benefit Design
High coinsurance costs in specialty tiers are keeping lifesaving medications out of reach of consumers with some chronic illnesses, according to patient advocacy groups.
Will Mexico’s Soda Tax Spur California?
A new tax on sugary drinks and high-calorie foods in Mexico is sparking optimism among health advocates who hope California is ready to follow suit.
San Diego County’s 10-Year Public Health Initiative Shows Early Progress
Live Well, San Diego! is a 10-year public health project that calls on a wide range of community stakeholders to make changes both within and outside of the health care delivery system to reduce the burden of chronic disease. Three years in, county health officials are preparing to demonstrate the program’s effectiveness.
Autism Advocates Praise Covered California’s Expected Policy Change
The California health benefit exchange board’s meeting today is expected to include a policy change that autism advocates say could help many children who need applied behavior analysis therapy.
Ruling’s Effect on Autism Coverage
An appeals court recently decided that the state cannot deny autism coverage to state employees based on licensure, and that ruling could hold an important precedent for autism advocates.