Latest California Healthline Stories
Amid Growing Rx Costs, No Consensus on Addressing Access
As rising prescription drug prices increasingly make headlines, stakeholders struggle to find the “right idea” to address them, as well as ensure medication access for consumers.
Two California Counties Get Grants To Address Effects of Early Traumatic Events
Fourteen communities across the country — including two in California — are getting funds to try to reverse the bad health trends of patients with traumatic childhood events.
UC’s Case Studies Focus on Food Policy
Research on food and agriculture from throughout the University of California system has been compiled in a single report to inform and influence policy.
Disagreement Over Charity Contributions Simmers in Blue Shield’s Care1st Deal
Blue Shield of California said it is abiding by the language outlining charitable contributions in its agreement with the Department of Managed Health Care clearing the way for its $1.2 billion acquisition of Care1st. Consumer advocates say the insurer is reneging on a promise.
Report Examines Cancer Surgeries in California Hospitals
Higher volume has been linked with better outcomes for some types of cancer surgeries, but information about which hospitals performed which surgeries was not easy to come by. A new report examines the frequency of those surgeries at hospitals across California.
UnitedHealth’s Threat To Leave Exchanges Not Expected To Mean Much in California
UnitedHealth Group announced yesterday it’s losing too much money in Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges and may reduce participation next year. But that probably won’t happen in California, according to Covered California officials.
New Salvo in Old Battle Against Drug Ads
The American Medical Association this week called for a ban on direct-to-consumer advertising for prescription drugs, a position the California Medical Association endorsed nearly 20 years ago.
Report Pegs Hospital Efficiency Savings at $10 Billion; Hospitals Beg To Differ
If California hospitals were more efficient, they could save the health system $10 billion a year, according to a recent report. At the same time, those hospitals have some of the top efficiency numbers in the nation. What gives?
On Medicare? Time To Pay Attention
More than 5 million Californians get their health insurance from Medicare, the federal health insurance program for people 65 and over, and for people under 65 who have certain disabilities. There’s a lot going on with Medicare right now. Premiums will rise next year for about one-third of its Part B enrollees. (I’ll help you decipher […]
Why Maryland — Not California — Pulled Off the ‘Boldest Proposal’ in Health Care
The Old Line State is trying something new: Maryland’s hospitals have moved away from fee-for-service and embraced global budgets. And the early returns are promising.