Latest California Healthline Stories
Study: Quality, Access Not Affected by Covered California Narrow Networks
A new study suggests narrower hospital networks offered in plans through Covered California do not reduce quality or access.
Floor Vote Next for Nurse Practitioner Bill
A bill aimed at expanding nurse practitioners’ scope of practice was approved yesterday by the appropriations committee and now moves to the floor of the California Senate.
Study: School Food Policies Paying Off
California laws governing food and drink at public schools appear to be improving overweight and obesity problems, especially in affluent neighborhoods, according to a new study.
L.A. County Could Benefit From More Palliative Care Resources, Experts Say
As palliative care comes into its own as a medical subspecialty, payers, providers and consumers in Los Angeles County recognize the benefits while facing a shortage in supply and uneven distribution of services.
Children’s Eye Exam Bill Advances
A bill in the California Legislature calling for comprehensive eye exams for school age children got its second unanimous committee endorsement this week.
Kaiser-Target Partnership Sign of Times
The growing influence of the patient as a consumer is pushing health care organizations to try new ways to provide care. A new partnership in San Diego between Kaiser Permanente and Target illustrates that retail clinics play a growing role in meeting consumer expectations.
Nurses, Hospital Officials Clash Over Observation Units, Charity Care
Nurses and hospital officials disagreed over bills dealing with hospital observation status and not-for-profit charity care during testimony before the Senate health committee yesterday.
Can Transparency Tools Further the ACA’s Goals of Reducing Costs?
While the Affordable Care Act aims to reduce health care costs and make coverage more affordable for U.S. residents, research suggests that consumer concerns about costs linger and have caused some to delay needed care. Price transparency tools could be key to the equation.
Drug Costs, Restrictions Get Hearing
The Assembly health committee heard and passed two bills yesterday dealing with the rising costs of specialty drugs.
A bill directing California to join 15 other states allowing terminally ill patients expanded access to experimental drugs cleared a committee hurdle yesterday.