Latest California Healthline Stories
Health IT Stimulus Programs Taking Shape
The federal government is moving ahead with implementation of various provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. In recent weeks, federal agencies have announced hundreds of millions of dollars in grant opportunities and have laid out application procedures.
Studies on Health Care Spending Fuel Reform Debate
The Obama administration is touting data from an IOM report that the U.S. health care system is riddled with more than $800 billion in excess costs each year, but Sen. Dianne Feinstein and other senators are questioning whether current proposals are really going to deliver the reforms that are needed.
How Should California Pay for Retiree Health Benefits?
In addition to questions about funding Medi-Cal, Healthy Families and other programs, California is faced with the question of how to cover the cost of health care benefits for retired public workers. Three stakeholders share their thoughts on how to tackle this challenge.
Provision Won’t Give California Extra Help on Medicaid Expansion
California is not one of the four states that meet criteria in the Senate Finance Committee’s health care overhaul proposal to have the federal government bear the entire cost of expanding the states’ Medicaid programs for five years. The information comes as new data show poverty is on the rise in California.
Health Care Reform Debate Roiled by Concerns Over Coverage for Undocumented Immigrants
Immigration attorney Sonal Ambegaokar, Anthony Cava of DHCS, Kathleen King of the Santa Clara Family Health Foundation and Yeh Ling-Ling of Alliance for a Sustainable USA discussed the debate with California Healthline.
Technology Incentives Not So Stimulating for Dentists
Dentists are among the “eligible professionals” in line for federal stimulus money for using electronic health records, but some dental advocates are worried oral health may get short shrift in the current push toward digital record keeping.
New Data Underscore Impact of Health Care Reform for California
A White House report that came out in recent days highlights what California can expect to get — and pay — under Democratic health care reform proposals, while new Census Bureau data provide a more detailed look at what parts of California are plagued with high rates of uninsured residents.
State Auditor Criticizes California Agencies’ Handling of Health IT
A California state auditor report criticizing two state health agencies’ management of information technology was triggered by union complaints, but the report also illustrates larger issues involving paper-based bureaucracies moving slowly and somewhat clumsily into the digital era.
Cuts to Calif. Mental Health Care Could Leave Patients With Nowhere To Turn, Advocates Say
John Buck of Turning Point Community Programs, Patricia Ryan of the California Mental Health Directors Association and Rusty Selix of the Mental Health Association in California discussed recent funding losses.
Industry Steps Up Opposition to Health Reform Proposals
Health care industry groups are taking issue with specific elements of health care reform proposals backed by President Obama and congressional Democrats. AHIP is challenging plans to cut Medicare Advantage payments, and medical device makers are criticizing proposals for a new tax on devices and diagnostic tools.