Latest California Healthline Stories
Loma Linda University Health Plans $1.2B Inland Empire Expansion
Loma Linda University Health officials expect a proposed $1.2 billion expansion to position the health system as one of the leading health care providers in the Inland Empire region. Unaffiliated health care analysts agree.
Advocates, State Officials Wrangle Over California’s Medi-Cal Renewal Backlog
Consumer advocates are asking for federal intervention to help with California’s unprocessed Medi-Cal applications. The state hopes to have the backlog reduced to about 350,000 by the end of the month.
Will New Exemptions Fix the Territories’ ACA Problems?
The federal government has granted U.S. territories several exemptions to the Affordable Care Act, but do the changes go far enough to stabilize their insurance markets? And could the changes have unintended consequences stateside?
State: Autism Therapy a Medi-Cal Benefit
State health officials announced yesterday that they plan to cover autism therapy for Medi-Cal children, with possible retroactive coverage and full implementation likely by the start of 2015.
Amputation Rate 10 Times Higher for Poor Patients, UCLA Study Finds
UCLA researchers say low-income individuals with diabetes in California are at much greater risk to have limbs amputated than wealthier people with same disease.
California Lawmakers Considering Separate Marketplace for Vision Insurance
We asked stakeholders and consumer advocates what they thought about a bill proposing a statewide marketplace for vision insurance that would be separate from — but linked to — Covered California.
State Wins Duals Project Court Ruling, Medicaid Defense Fund Plans to Appeal
A California Superior Court judge ruled Friday in Sacramento that the state may continue with its duals demonstration project. Medicaid Defense Fund, which challenged the project in a lawsuit, plans to appeal.
Progress on the Road to Data Sharing
Leaders in health information technology at an annual meeting in Santa Rosa last week reported significant progress in policy-making and technological advancements in California’s efforts to create a sophisticated data-sharing ecosystem.
Agency Might Appeal Decertification of Sonoma Developmental Center
Sonoma Developmental Center could lose $1.2 million in federal funds every month if a state survey decision to decertify the facility remains in place. Department of Developmental Services officials say a decision on whether to appeal will come next week.
New Payment Reforms, Shared-Savings Initiatives Could Be Part of Waiver Plan
State officials are hoping to include a number of shared-savings projects in the next version of California’s Medicaid waiver. The state’s five-year 1115 “Bridge to Reform” waiver will be up for renewal next year.