Latest California Healthline Stories
$6 Billion Waiver Gets Federal Approval
California gets almost everything it wanted in a scaled-back $6.2 billion waiver request for Medicaid delivery and payment system reforms approved over the weekend by federal regulators.
Local Drug Take-Back Programs Could Be Pre-Empted by State Regulations
New statewide rules for proper disposal of old or discarded prescription drugs could conflict with a local ordinance already on the books in one California county and under consideration in other cites and counties..
Exchange Gears Up for Third Open Enrollment Period
Interest in signing up for coverage through Covered California may be piqued by the increased penalty this year for lack of health insurance — as much as $2,085 per family.
From $17 Billion to $7 Billion so Far … How Far Will Medicaid Waiver Drop?
The state dropped about $10 billion from its request for a new federal Medicaid waiver. California now wants roughly $7 billion to jumpstart payment and delivery system reforms, but it may get only a portion of that lower number.
Pharmacists Can Substitute Biosimilars
Biological medications are expensive, and new types of medications called biosimilars may cost significantly less. A new law allows pharmacists to substitute biosimilars, just as they now change some brand-name drugs to generics.
Five Things To Watch in Round Three of the ACA’s Open Enrollment
The Affordable Care Act’s third open enrollment period starts on Sunday, and the law faces some new challenges, including a shrinking pool of potential enrollees, shuttering cooperative health plans and a lack of awareness about subsidies that can help consumers purchase coverage.
Poll Asks Duals for Opt-Out Reasoning
The high rate of seniors opting out of the Cal MediConnect program for Californians dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid has been hard to figure out, so the state decided to ask people why they’re doing it.
Choose Health Plan With More Than Pocketbook In Mind
If you’re not already in the midst of picking your health coverage for next year, you soon may be. If at all possible, please don’t base your decision solely on the cost of monthly premiums. Let’s say you have asthma. Out of 10 major Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) recently ranked in California, three received a […]
Californians Favor Taxing E-Cigarettes
A new Field Poll shows Californians expressed concern about electronic cigarettes’ contribution to nicotine addiction among young people and more than two-thirds of them want to increase regulation efforts.
California’s Listing Widely Used Herbicide as Carcinogen Fuels Public Health Debate
California’s decision to add the main ingredient in popular herbicide Roundup to the state’s list of carcinogens adds fuel to a far-reaching public health debate.