Latest California Healthline Stories
California Falling Short in Kids’ Dental Care, Studies Say
One study gives California a “C” in dental care for low-income children and another contends tooth decay is at epidemic proportions among kids in Los Angeles County’s poorest communities. Researchers and dental advocates urge policymakers to pay more attention to oral health.
National Reform Plans Don’t Call for Employer Mandate
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s 2007 health care overhaul plan would have required employers to share the cost of expanding health insurance coverage, and the Healthy San Francisco program requires firms to share the cost of ensuring workers’ access to health care services. Democratic congressional leaders and President Obama are proposing other approaches.
Proposed Anthem Rate Hike Stirs Reform Waters
President Obama is pointing to proposed health insurance rate hikes in California as proof the system needs an overhaul, while members of Congress and the California Legislature are calling hearings and a frustrated Californian launches a statewide ballot initiative to regulate insurance rates.
Medicaid Expansion a Minefield in Push for Health Care Reform
Proposals that would have opened up Medicaid to millions more Americans set off a fierce battle as states worried about additional costs down the road. Gov. Schwarzenegger was one of the loudest critics of the proposals, perhaps not surprisingly given California’s $20 billion budget deficit.
Is California Ripe for Global Payment, ACOs?
Reworking the health care payment system has been a key aspect of health care reform proposals in Congress. A major Massachusetts insurer has pushed ahead and adopted a global payment system, raising questions about whether California is ready to make a similar move toward global payments and accountable care organizations.
Shift in Economic Conditions Diminishes Job Prospects for Nursing School Graduates in Calif.
Kathleen Dracup of the UCSF School of Nursing, Jan Emerson of the California Hospital Association, Deloras Jones of the California Institute for Nursing & Health Care and Brandy Logue of Samuel Merritt University share their thoughts on the situation.
Anthem Blue Cross of California Rate Hikes Spark Outcry
President Obama and other proponents of the Democratic plans for health care reform are pointing to planned rate hikes for Anthem Blue Cross of California’s individual policies as a case in point for overhauling the health care system. Will provisions on medical-loss ratios and rate-increase reviews move forward?
California Urged To Make Changes, Reform or No Reform
State and national health care leaders agree that California should seek ways to improve the state’s health care system no matter what emerges — or doesn’t emerge — from Washington.
Obama Leaves Door Open to Strategy on Health Reform
President Obama’s State of the Union address made clear that he will not back down on health reform and that he expects lawmakers to follow suit. What isn’t as clear is what path lawmakers will take to move forward.
ARRA Money Continues To Flow for Health, Other Projects
The federal government’s checkbook continues to open for grants and programs specified in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This update summarizes significant developments over the past few months in areas including community health, comparative effectiveness research and broadband expansion.