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Latest California Healthline Stories

Why the State’s Seizure of a Local Health Plan May Have Rescued It

The state took over the finances and operation of Alameda Alliance for Health just over a year ago. Now, after a year of conservatorship, the local health plan may finally be back on financially solid footing.

State Begins To Collect Back Payments From Pharmacies Over Medi-Cal Cuts

After two years of limbo while courts heard lawsuits challenging it, the Medi-Cal provider rate reduction was resolved in the state’s favor. Now the state wants to retroactively recoup 10% of the money it paid out during those years.

Apples and Oranges: How Should We Look at Republican, Democratic Health Care Plans?

Republican and Democratic 2016 presidential candidates differ so widely in agenda and ideology that it can be difficult to compare how their health reform plans stack up. But experts say there are some best practices to follow when analyzing the proposals.

How To Price Shop For Medical Treatment

Whether you get your health insurance from your employer, Covered California or the open market, more of you are picking — or being forced into — high-deductible plans. Although these plans come with relatively cheap premiums, you must spend thousands of dollars out of pocket before your coverage kicks in. In theory, you’ll be less […]

Special Session Bills Keep On Coming

The California Legislature’s special session on health was supposed to focus on replacing the managed care organization tax, but it has become fertile ground for dozens of other health-related bills.

Medical Marijuana Bills Retooled

In the face of a looming statewide initiative to legalize recreational use of marijuana, California legislators last week reworked and kept alive a package of bills to regulate medical marijuana.

Another Tobacco Bill Off to Governor

Major league baseball players will have to give up the chaw — at least while they’re playing games in California — if the governor signs a ban on smokeless tobacco passed yesterday by the California Legislature.