Latest California Healthline Stories
State Closing Last Three Developmental Centers; Community ‘Blindsided’ by Plan
At a state Senate subcommittee hearing yesterday on the pending closure of California’s remaining developmental centers, advocates expressed concern over what one called an “unrealistic” timetable.
More Californians Face Medi-Cal Death Fee
If you have Medi-Cal, chances are you get your health care for free. Until you die, that is. Since 1993, Medi-Cal – California’s version of the federal Medicaid program for low-income residents – has sought repayment of many medical costs, primarily those incurred after age 55. It’s called the Estate Recovery Program and under Obamacare, […]
Scope of Practice Bill Sent to Senate Floor
The California Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bill that would expand the scope of practice for some optometrists in an effort to ease the primary care provider shortage.
State Pressured To Explain Why it Revoked Blue Shield’s Not-for-Profit Exemption
Consumer advocates want to know how state officials came to the decision last year to revoke Blue Shield of California’s status as a tax-exempt not-for-profit health care company. State officials said they can’t explain because of confidentiality laws.
Budget Bargaining Begins in Earnest
California’s improving economic outlook could prompt a more aggressive legislative spending push when budget bargaining gets underway in earnest this week in Sacramento.
Governor Plans To Put Federal Children’s Health Money Into General Fund
In Gov. Brown’s May budget proposal, new federal funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program has been absorbed into the general fund as $381 million in savings.
Covered California Takes Conservative Fiscal Move Toward Self-Sufficiency
The state’s health benefit exchange, largest in the nation, is on schedule to support itself by next fiscal year — and that means scaling back this year.
New State Rules for Catheter Procedures May Help Rural Patients, Hospitals
California hospitals have the option under a new state law this year to offer elective cardiac catheter procedures, a change in policy that could save time and money for patients and create new revenue for rural hospitals.
Inside the Ambitious (And Affordable) Plan To Bring ‘Health Care For All’ to California
Some lawmakers and advocates are arguing that it’s time to expand health coverage to California’s undocumented immigrants. And they say that this year, the numbers are on their side.
Legislation To Regulate E-Cigarettes Is Facing Stiff Resistance in California
Stefan Didak of the Smoke Free Alternatives Trade Association, Tim Gibbs of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, UC-San Francisco professor Stanton Glantz, state Sen. Mark Leno and Zach Shpizner, a vape shop worker in San Mateo, spoke with California Healthline about proposed legislation to regulate electronic cigarettes as a tobacco product and ban vaping in public places.