Latest California Healthline Stories
Assembly Committee Squashes Soda Tax
The Assembly Committee on Health yesterday turned thumbs down to a proposed tax on sugar sweetened beverages in California.
Coalitions Form To Get Slice of Budget
A $10 million TV advertising campaign is part of new efforts to put pressure on the governor and lawmakers to make more room in the budget for health care programs — particularly children’s health.
California Proposes To Expand Incentive Pay for Some Medi-Cal Providers
An incentive payment program for hospitals and shared savings for managed care plans are included in California’s new Medi-Cal waiver proposal being negotiated with federal regulators.
Telehealth Project Aims To Improve Health Care Access for Inland Empire Tribes
Riverside-San Bernardino County Indian Health, a system serving nine American Indian tribes in the Inland Empire, has rolled out a telehealth project that could serve as a model for tribes statewide.
Senate Select Committee Hears Strategies To End Child Poverty in California
State senators heard policy recommendations for ending child poverty in California during a hearing of the Senate Select Committee on Women and Inequality this week.
Demand Up in Calif. for Dental Care Services, Yet Hurdles To Access Remain
More than 2,000 people sought dental care at a no-cost event in Sacramento recently — a sign of the increasing demand for dental care services. Some patients waited hours for care, including those who have had trouble making appointments through Denti-Cal, the state’s dental care program for low-income patients.
Scorecard: Less Than Half of Medicare Payments Tied to Value
A new scorecard from Catalyst for Payment Reform shows that while there is progress in tying Medicare payments to value, there’s still a long way to go.
Drug Price Transparency Bill Shelved in California, Push Continues
A bill calling for drugmakers to explain high prices for specialty drugs is back on the drawing board in California, but other states and the Obama administration are pushing for more drug pricing transparency.
The ACA Is Changing How Students Become Doctors
Health care reform is prompting changes in the way that U.S. physicians are trained. And more changes could be on the way.
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.