Latest California Healthline Stories
Tainted Scope Infections Far Exceed Earlier Estimates
House panel concludes inquiry on superbug outbreaks; one member prepares legislation “to make sure these situations don’t happen again.”
Should Adults Living In The Country Illegally Qualify For Full Medi-Cal Benefits?
Two state senators and a health foundation executive offer their perspectives.
A Dearth Of Hospital Beds For Patients In Psychiatric Crisis
A California Assembly bill would require creating a mandatory registry for available psychiatric hospital beds, but the state hospital association calls it unworkable.
Fantasy Sports Fueling A Rise In Online Gambling Addiction
Seeing more problem gamblers than ever before, the state is investing in education, training and prevention.
State Legislature Passes New MCO Tax, Rescues Over $1 Billion for Medi-Cal
In a two-thirds floor vote, the Assembly and Senate Monday passed a complex proposal to impose a restructured tax on managed care organizations — bringing in nearly $1.4 billion for Medi-Cal — and tax breaks to insurers.
State’s Largest Health Insurance Lobby Approves Tax Plan
The endorsement of the California Association of Health Plans is key to a deal that would allow the state to avoid major budget cuts by taxing managed care plans.
Insurance Regulation Shifting Toward Managed Care Agency
The authority of the Department of Managed Health Care in California’s dual-agency system has grown in recent years. The agency now regulates 88 percent of the commercial market.
Legislation Signals Growing Support For Significance Of Trauma Indicators
A new Assembly bill addresses a theory that has been gaining greater acceptance in the medical community and beyond: Adverse childhood experiences may be strong indicators of health risk factors later in life.
Unreasonable Rate Hike? Proposed Legislation Would Tell You About It
A new Senate bill proposes that the state inform consumers when state officials find health insurance rates to be unjustified.
Expensive Drugs in 2016 Crosshairs
Lawmakers, policymakers and California voters are poised this year to move past dismay and discussion about rising prescription drug prices. With a new law on the books in California and a petition approved for the statewide ballot, dismay may give way to action.