Battle Lines Are Drawn Over California Deal With Kaiser Permanente
By Bernard J. Wolfson
A controversial proposal to grant HMO giant Kaiser Permanente a no-bid statewide Medi-Cal contract is headed for its first legislative hearing amid vocal opposition from a coalition of counties, competing health plans, community clinics, and a national health care labor union.
Record Fines Might Mean California Is Finally Serious About Improving Medi-Cal
By Bernard J. Wolfson
California regulators issued record fines against L.A. Care, the state’s largest Medi-Cal managed-care plan, for providing inadequate care to its enrollees. But whether the penalties are a sign that the state will make a more forceful effort to improve Medi-Cal’s overall quality of care remains to be seen.
Multas récord podrían significar que California finalmente se toma en serio la mejora de Medi-Cal
By Bernard J. Wolfson
El estado impuso una multa de $55 millones a L.A. Care por múltiples violaciones en sus procesos de asistencia médica.
When Teens Blow Off Parents’ Pleas to Get Vaccinated, the Consequences Can Be Deadly
By Bernard J. Wolfson
Kennedy Stonum, a 17-year-old high school junior, resisted getting vaccinated against covid-19, as did 20-year-old Tyler Gilreath, whose mother had nagged him for months to get the shots. Both died.
Cuando los adolescentes no hacen caso al ruego de sus padres para que se vacunen, las consecuencias pueden ser mortales
By Bernard J. Wolfson
Poco más del 57% de los adolescentes de 12 a 17 años y el 62% de los jóvenes de 18 a 24 años están completamente vacunados. Para estas franjas de edad covid también puede ser mortal.
J&J-Vaxxed, mRNA-Boosted, and Pondering a Third Shot
By Bernard J. Wolfson
Many of the nearly 17 million U.S. members of J&J Nation, myself included, are wondering whether to set aside the current official guidance and get a second booster. Some experts say: Chill out.
Vacunados con J&J, reforzados con ARNm, y pensando en la tercera dosis
By Bernard J. Wolfson
Cerca de 17 millones de personas que recibieron la vacuna de Johnson & Johnson contra covid se preguntan cuántas dosis necesitan.
Timely Mental Health Care Is a Key Factor in Strike by Kaiser Permanente Workers
By Bernard J. Wolfson and Zinnia Finn
A new state law requires timely follow-up appointments for mental health and addiction patients. But striking workers at Kaiser Permanente in Northern California say patients continue to wait up to two months.
What the Federal ‘No Surprises Act’ Means in California
By Bernard J. Wolfson
The new federal law will provide protection against surprise medical bills for between 6 million and 7 million Californians who are not covered under state law.
Layers of Subcontracted Services Confuse and Frustrate Medi-Cal Patients
By Bernard J. Wolfson
Many of the 14 million patients in Medi-Cal are in managed care health plans that outsource their care to subcontractors or sub-subcontractors. For patients with difficult health care needs, it can be hard to know where to turn.
