Latest California Healthline Stories
Intervenor Role Now Politically Charged
The latest volley in the war over Proposition 45, the November ballot initiative to regulate health insurance rate hikes, is over intervenors who play an obscure role in the state’s process for overseeing insurance.
Look Ma, No Option! My Teeth Are Covered.
Like many things in Obamacare, dental insurance is more complicated than it should be. In today’s column, I’ll try to bring some clarity to the issue and preview coming changes that may affect how often you see a dentist – and at what cost. There’s some good news amid the complexity, especially for kids. Q: […]
UC-Davis Study: Pre-Toddler Treatment Shortens Autism Therapy Significantly
Children as young as six months old who received autism therapy showed significant response to it, according to a small pilot program at the UC-Davis MIND Institute.
Stung by Pointed Criticism, Department Aims for a Better Stakeholder Process
The Department of Health Care Services launched a new initiative last week to revamp stakeholder relations, in part because DHCS leaders have heard an earful of criticism from advocates, community leaders and legislators.
Autism Details To Come After Rollout
State officials and stakeholders met for the first time to iron out some of the details in implementing the new Medi-Cal benefit for autism therapy. Clearly it will be a work in progress.
Pilot Program Targets Senior Nutrition
It may not be just children who need the most important meal of the day. A new pilot program is studying the health effects of breakfast meals on seniors.
Should Palliative Care Be Reformed?
We asked stakeholders and legislators about proposals in Congress and the California Legislature seeking to change the way health care systems deal with palliative care.
New Lawsuit Filed To Block Duals Plan
After losing in Superior Court, health advocates for seniors have upped the ante, filing a lawsuit in federal district court to try to halt further implementation of the state’s duals demonstration project.
Checking in on ACA Care Models: Where ACOs and PCMHs Stand
The Affordable Care Act provided a platform to test and bolster innovative care delivery models, like accountable care organizations and patient-centered medical homes. But more than four years after its passage, there is little evidence that such models are delivering on their promises and some experts say the effects are far from clear.
Medi-Cal Autism Coverage To Start Soon
Medi-Cal families with autistic children will be able to arrange for applied behavior analysis treatment later this month. Sept. 15 is the tentative start date for California’s new coverage policies.