California Opens Medi-Cal to Older Unauthorized Immigrants
By Bernard J. Wolfson
Starting May 1, low-income unauthorized immigrants over age 49 become eligible for full Medi-Cal health coverage, a significant milestone in California’s effort to expand coverage.
California abre el Medi-Cal a adultos mayores indocumentados
By Bernard J. Wolfson
Photos by Heidi de Marco
El estado vuelve a ser pionero en su esfuerzo porque todos tengan seguro de salud, más allá de su estatus migratorio.
Journalists Cover the Gamut, From Rising Insulin Costs to Delays in Autism Care for Kids
KHN and California Healthline staff made the rounds on national and local media this week to discuss their stories. Here’s a collection of their appearances.
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.
How a Former Catholic Priest Is Navigating a Medi-Cal Health Plan Through Big Changes
By Bernard J. Wolfson
Michael Hunn left the clergy and became a hospital and health system executive. He’s been named CEO of CalOptima, Orange County’s Medi-Cal health insurance plan for low-income residents, and his spiritual background is helping him guide the publicly run plan into the future.
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.
