Latest California Healthline Stories
Unclear How Supreme Court’s Home Health Care Worker Ruling Will Affect California
The ruling by the nation’s highest court goes against home health care workers’ unions in Illinois — but advocates still are uncertain what it means for California.
Expanding Veterans’ Options Highlights Need for Data Exchange in San Diego
A bill in Congress requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs to pay for care delivered outside the VA medical system is likely to increase private-sector referrals for San Diego veterans and highlight the need for electronic exchange of medical records to ensure continuity of care.
Two Health Care Measures Make Ballot Deadline for November, Two Others Held
The deadline has passed for initiatives to qualify for the November ballot. Two health care measures are in, and two others will have to wait.
Analysis Spurs Changes in Covered California Outreach Strategy
When Covered California’s second enrollment period begins this fall, state officials hope to do a better job reaching out to Californians of color using lessons learned from a staff report on the first enrollment period.
Report Examines State Budget Cut Effects in Alameda County
When the state cuts funding for health care, counties feel it keenly, according to a report issued by Alameda County.
Bills Offer Two Approaches to Hospital Observation Status
We asked stakeholders to assess the strengths and weaknesses of two bills in the California Legislature seeking to clarify the complex and financially significant issue of “observation status” in acute care hospitals.
Why Haven’t More States Expanded Medicaid Yet?
It’s been two years since the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act and put the fate of its Medicaid expansion in question. Many experts predicted that all states would eventually embrace the expansion, yet 22 states remain staunchly opposed. What gives?
Panel OKs Optometry Scope of Practice Bill
Legislation to help ease the crunch on primary care by expanding the scope of practice for California optometrists moved forward in the Legislature yesterday.
Bill Sidesteps Governor, Accepts Grant
A new strategy is taking shape in the California Legislature to sidestep Gov. Brown’s rejection of a Medi-Cal grant offer from the California Endowment.
Electronic Backpack for Foster Kids Launched in Ventura County
A pilot project using information technology and the Internet to coordinate social workers and health care providers working with foster children launched last week in Ventura County. The private-public partnership aims to be a model for other parts of California and the nation.