Latest California Healthline Stories
High-Risk Pool Changes First Reforms on Tap in California
One of the first changes California will see under national health reform is the creation of a new insurance pool for “high-risk” patients. How the new national pool will affect California’s existing program will be closely watched.
Key Questions Remain for Reform Bill’s Rollout
While Democrats are celebrating their passage of historic health reform legislation, there are significant questions about how certain provisions will affect states like California. Plans for new high-risk pools and payment reductions for Medicare Advantage could present challenges for the state.
California Hospital Seismic Safety Rules Center Stage Again
Recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile have called into question California’s own preparedness for a major quake. Hospitals’ compliance with state seismic safety rules are of particular concern.
California Moving Ahead With Efforts To Boost Adoption of Electronic Health Record Systems
Robin Affrime of the Redwood Community Health Coalition, Carmella Castellano-Garcia of the California Primary Care Association and Speranza Avram of CalHIPSO share their thoughts on CalHIPSO’s mission.
Why Are Not-for-Profit Providers Lining Up To Be Taxed?
California hospitals are among providers in many states voluntarily asking for new fees or assessments, regardless of the national reform debate’s outcome. The fees are being used to draw down additional federal funding for Medicaid.
‘Defining Moment’ for Health Information Exchange in California
Last week, California officials tapped a private, not-for-profit organization to lead efforts to develop a statewide health information exchange. Although there still isn’t unanimity on how to proceed in some areas, the group’s co-chairs are looking forward.
Expert Touts Need for Quality Reporting To Produce Data for Patients, Not Just Practitioners
R. Adams Dudley, a professor of medicine and health policy at UC-San Francisco, shared his thoughts about health care quality reporting initiatives and strategies for improving these efforts.
‘Elephant in the Room’ Could Be Providers’ Market Power
Health insurers have emerged as a convenient target during the health care reform debate, but some researchers are shining a spotlight on health care providers’ role in driving up health care costs.
Stimulus Programs Aim at Health IT Problems
Hoping to avoid future problems and educate the public about current challenges, the federal government is aiming stimulus funding at a couple of offshoot efforts in the national campaign to move the health care industry into the digital age.
Reform Opponents Continue Mobilization in States
As President Obama and Democratic congressional leaders push ahead on health care reform legislation, state lawmakers are considering proposals aimed at letting states opt out of some elements of the proposed bills.